Zuma granted further delay in corruption trial

A South African court on Monday, 11 April 2022, granted a further delay in former president Jacob Zuma's arms deal corruption trial, pending the outcome of his latest attempt to have the lead prosecutor taken off the long-running case.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma enters the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, 31 January 2022. Jerome Delay/Pool via Reuters/File Photo

Zuma, ousted as head of state in 2018 after nine years in power, has pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption, money laundering and racketeering over a $2bn arms deal in the 1990s.

He alleges the lead prosecutor is biased against him, but the High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) have so far rejected his attempts to have the prosecutor replaced.

Former South African president Jacob Zuma speaks to supporters at his home in Nkandla, South Africa, 4 July 2021. Reuters/Rogan Ward/File Photo

Judge dismisses Zuma's attempt to remove prosecutor

Alexander Winning 27 Oct 2021

Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen on Monday adjourned the trial to a holding date of 17 May to allow the president of the SCA to weigh a "reconsideration application" lodged by Zuma last week.

"The adjournment is granted on the basis that if the application ... has been disposed of by 17 May 2022, the trial shall resume at 10 o'clock on 31 May 2022," Koen said.

Zuma was not in court on Monday to hear the judge's order, as the spokesman of the Jacob Zuma Foundation told reporters he had a health issue.