THE Pietermaritzburg High Court in KwaZulu-Natal has granted former President Jacob Zuma’s request for a delay in his arms deal fraud and corruption trial on Tuesday, and adjourned proceedings for three weeks.
Judge Piet Koen said the directive on a virtual sitting was in effect unless it was revoked.
Zuma wanted to be physically present in court, saying a virtual trial would prejudice him.
The State argued there was nothing wrong with going ahead virtually.
Zuma’s special plea for prosecutor Billy Downer’s removal from the case will now be heard on August 10 with the trial expected to continue three days later.
Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering related to the 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms when he was deputy president.
He is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which
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