South Africa: arrest warrant against former president Jacob Zuma

Former South African president Jacob Zuma leaves the Pietermaritzburg court after trial postponed on October 15, 2019. REUTERS / Rogan Ward

Text by: RFI Follow

In South Africa, the Pietermaritzburg Court issued an arrest warrant against the 77-year-old former president. Jacob Zuma did not appear in court when his trial in a bribe case with French arms giant Thales was due to begin on February 4.

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In his defense, former South African President Jacob Zuma, who did not appear in court on February 4, claims to have health problems. He indeed underwent two operations in January in the capital Pretoria and said he suffered from memory problems. These explanations did not completely convince Judge Navi Pillay.

An arrest warrant was therefore filed against Jacob Zuma when his trial in a bribe case with the French arms giant Thalès was to start. To give it a second chance, it will not take effect until May 6, in just over three months.

Medical option in the absence of arguments

Because the evidence presented by the lawyer for Jacob Zuma was not enough to convince the Court. In this case, a medical certificate from a military hospital, on which the dates have visibly changed, said Justice Pillay.

Jacob Zuma, who has been in Cuba for two weeks, seems to have changed tactics. The former president multiplied the appeals and the legal recourse to always adjourn his trial. Short of legal arguments, he now seems to be turning to the medical option.

Justice has accelerated this time. Zuma finds himself back to the wall. If he does not show up at Pietermaritzburg on May 6, he could simply be arrested, a supreme humiliation for him.

► Read also: South Africa: Jacob Zuma cited in a new corruption scandal

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  • South Africa
  • Jacob Zuma
  • Justice

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