State, Zuma’s lawyers waiting for Judge Maya’s decision

DURBAN - FORMER president Jacob Zuma’s legal team is expected in court today as discussions will again turn to the former president’s request to have state advocate Billy Downer recused from the case.

Last month, Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen adjourned Zuma’s arms deal trial, to allow Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) Judge President Mandisa Maya to decide on his reconsideration application.

Zuma has asked Judge Maya to reconsider the SCA’s dismissal of four of his special pleas – all dealing with his attempt to force Downer to recuse himself from his corruption trial.

Last month, Judge Koen had said that today was a holding date for the continuation of the case, and if the reconsideration application at the SCA was not finalised by then, the trial would reconvene so another date could be fixed.

“The appeal process must be allowed to run its course,” Judge Koen had said.

Judge Koen added that he could not find that Zuma’s litigation amounted to an abuse of court processes, and that the State’s argument that Zuma was embarking on a Stalingrad approach in his litigation would require further evidence.

Zuma and French arms manufacturer Thales have been charged with fraud, money laundering and corruption but neither of them are expected in court tomorrow.

Zuma’s spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said the former president had not had any feedback from the SCA and it was likely that the matter would be postponed.

“The judge anticipated this scenario and we believe that we will have to converge for another session to hear the decision on this matter,” Manyi said.

Judiciary spokesperson Nathi Mncube said any decision by Judge Maya would be communicated to both parties in the matter.

“The judgment will be sent to both parties and if the parties so wish they will publish.”

Zuma was not in court last month with the court hearing from advocate Dali Mpofu that a medical emergency had taken place.