Zuma slams trial judge for ‘private phone calls’ with prosecution

Embattled former president Jacob Zuma has taken issue with what he deems “disturbing” correspondence between the prosecution at his corruption trial and KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Achmat Jappie.

ZUMA’S TEAM CONCERNED WITH PROSECUTION’S INTERACTIONS WITH TOP JUDGE

According to the 78-year-old’s attorney Eric Mabuza, the prosecution has sought to delay the resumption of the trial.

A letter shared on Twitter by Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile details concerns shared by the defence team regarding the prosecution’s conduct.

“Firstly, the State is now seeking to postpone the trial to a date in 2021 stating, amongst other reasons, that the prosecution needs more time to prepare for the trial despite having repeatedly stated to the court that it was ready to proceed,” Mabuza said in the letter.”

The State has also repeatedly accused former President JG Zuma of delaying the trial and having caused the court to issue an arrest warrant for former President JG Zuma for non-attendance while having been given prior notice of his unavailability for health reasons.”

Eric Mabuza

DEFENCE TEAM CRIES FOUL

Mabuza touched on the alleged correspondence between Advocate Billy Downer – the lead prosecutor at the trial – and Jappie.

He says this was done without Zuma’s knowledge or that of his legal team.

He especially took issue with the alleged discussion of the merits of the case, which is set to be handled by Mjabuliseni Madondo.

According to Mabuza, Zuma is seeking legal advice on how to proceed with addressing what he terms a “gross violation”.

“Unless a satisfactory explanation is given our client will be left with no choice but to suspect that there are attempts to manipulate the composition of the bench which ought to hear this matter. We have indicated to our client that this must be some misunderstanding or genuine error. However, given the history of this matter and how he believes he is being persecuted by the system, he remains apprehensive and concerned by what appears to be secret and inappropriate discussions between the state and the honourable judge president.”

Eric Mabuza

Zuma is expected back in court on 23 June on charges of corruption linked to his alleged role in the infamous arms deal.

The former president has previously stated that he is ready to see his day in court, and indicated that he would spill the beans on key players on the controversial pact, which is said to have taken place in the late 1990s.

Source: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/

Please follow and like us: