South Africa: Court postpones Zuma trial to June 8 /update 1

Event

On Friday, April 6, the High Court in Durban postponed the hearing in the corruption trial of former President Jacob Zuma to June 8. Zuma is facing 16 counts of corruption, fraud, and money laundering related to a decades-old arms deal. The court ruled to delay the next hearing until June in order to allow Zuma’s lawyer to review the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to reinstate the corruption charges against him. According to State Prosecutor Billy Downer, the state is ready to start Zuma’s trial in November. Zuma’s supporters have announced that they will rally in Durban during the June 8 hearing; additional related demonstrations may occur in the coming months.

Context

Around 2000 Zuma supporters gathered outside of the courthouse in Durban on April 6 in solidarity with the former president. Zuma was deputy president at the time of the 1990s arms deal and alleged money laundering. Charges were filed against Zuma but then dropped by national prosecutors shortly before he successfully ran for president in 2009. Since his election nine years ago, his opponents have fought to have the charges reinstated. Zuma countered with his own legal challenges but prosecutors re-filed the charges after Zuma was forced from power by his own party in February 2018.

Advice

Individuals present in South Africa, particularly in Durban, are advised to monitor the situation and avoid all demonstrations as violence can break out with little to no warning.