Zuma corruption trial ‘unlikely’ to go ahead next month
A legal expert believes it is unlikely that the corruption trial of former president Jacob Zuma will go ahead next month.
His legal representatives, Mabuza Attorneys, filed a notice in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday to confirm it plans on withdrawing from the former head of state’s corruption trial.
No reasons were given for the decision to withdraw so close to the start of the trial.
At this point, it is not known if the move will impact Zuma's hearing, which is meant to start on 17 May.
The National Prosecuting Authority says the State is ready to proceed with the trial.
Lasanthan Pillay, who is with Pillay Cohen Attorneys in Durban, says there is a number of options open to the former president.
He explains what the former president will need to do next.
"There are a number of documents that the new legal representative will have to read and become okay with.
"Therefore the matter, in all likelihood, doesn't seem that it will be proceeding on that particular date. It seems that he will come to court on that particular date with a new legal representative."
Pillay adds, "The new legal representative will obviously place themselves on record, indicate that they are the new attorneys and that they will not be ready to proceed on that particular date. They will require more time."
Zuma and French arms company Thales are facing racketeering, corruption, money laundering, and fraud charges linked to the multi-million rand arms deal.
