Jacob Zuma returns to court
He’s back in the dock, but what is it for this time? Can we call it a trial, will it last more than five minutes… and is it pronounced “Thay-uls” or “Tha-Les”? There are plenty of questions that need answering about Jacob Zuma’s return to court on Friday, and we’re here with the answers. In what was a lightning-quick appearance in the courtroom last month, Zuma’s lawyer Billy Downer immediately revealed the gameplan: The defence filed their appeal against a decision made the week before, which dismissed uBaba’s attempts to have all 16 charges against him dismissed.
The judges acquiesced, granting them their wish. The NPA then challenged the appeal, in the hope that this case could resume before 2020. However, Friday will see Zuma and co present their arguments for why the charges against Msholozi should be thrown out, in a bid to take their grievances to the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. Usually, these days can be quite confusing. It’s hard to keep up with what part of the trial we are at, or how many minutes in we will get before the defence manages to secure another delay in the case. However, this particular occasion promises to be very black and white. It is the former president’s last chance to convince a full bench of judges that he shouldn’t face prosecution.
If Zuma’s team emerge victorious, they will then have to convince the SCA that he can’t be convicted. If the court see through their defence, proceedings resume in Pietermaritzburg on 4 February 2020. That’s when things get really interesting, and the trial of the century will kick-off without any further delays.
Mind you, we are talking about a guy who got out of a State Capture Inquiry appearance by saying he had a mystery illness. Write-off JZ’s ability to throw a spanner in the works at your peril. As recently as 2018, there was a very popular trope about Jacob Zuma. His critics and opposition politicians would trumpet the fact he was facing “784 criminal charges”. However, that’s really not the case. Zuma is facing 16 charges in total. It turns out, 784 separate financial transactions were studied across his whole rap sheet – there’s a big difference.
In other news – Rare skin disease lands gospel singer Neyi Zimu in Hospital
GOSPEL singer Neyi Zimu has been diagnosed with a rare skin disease. Neyi was diagnosed with the condition last year,” said his wife, Dr Nelisiwe Zimu.
It’s a disorder of the blood and lymphatic system that manifests on the skin
The Jehova Re Tshepile Wena singer has mycosis fungoides. Read more
Source: thesouthafrican
