Umm Muhammed Umar

Former President Jacob Zuma is to appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday. IOL reports that the former President continues to fight to have State Prosecutor, Advocate Billy Downer SC recused from his corruption trial.

Zuma has accused Downer of a compromising bias against him and of having leaked key information about him to a journalist. IOL reports that he wanted witnesses to be called to testify about the ‘abuses’ he suffered at the hands of the State.

The Jacob Zuma Foundation on Sunday announced that Zuma is to institute private prosecution proceedings against Downer. Spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, said that Zuma’s legal team would request a further adjournment, saying Zuma was applying for a postponement, “only because at the present moment, it is very clear that the conditions for a fair trial are non-existent”.

According to IOL Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge, Piet Koen, dismissed Zuma’s application in February to appeal the Downer recusal ruling. The Supreme Court of Appeal followed, saying that there was “no reasonable prospect of success”, and “no other compelling reason why an appeal should be heard”. Zuma’s legal team have, however, filed for a reconsideration application.

Meanwhile, Manyi said it was highly unlikely that the imminent arms deal trial would begin this week.