Zuma graft trial set to be postponed due to hospitalisation
Former president Jacob Zuma's lawyers are set to ask the High Court in Pietermaritzburg for a postponement of his corruption trial.
The former president is due to appear in open court on Tuesday.
Zuma, who is serving a 15-month jail term for contempt, was admitted to a hospital outside the Escort correctional center.
His foundation’s spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi says Zuma was admitted for a routine check-up.
"The report we have gotten from his lawyers who have had psychically contact with him, it would be a lie to say that he is ill, he does not look ill at all. It's just that he went for a medical check-up and he is in high spirits. There must be no confusion and people must not be alarmed.”
He said the test results are taking longer than initially expected.
Manyi confirmed Zuma's lawyers are working with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
"President Zuma is still held up in the hospital, we don't know exactly when he will be released and what his test results will say. So both his lawyers and the NPA are engaged in talks and arrangements to jointly approach the judge to seek a postponement. That's where things are at the moment. So we can assume that tomorrow the only business of the court will be to discuss the postponement," he said.
Manyi said Zuma has been waiting for his day in court and this is not a delay tactic.
Zuma and his lawyers approached the court last month stating that having a virtual trial will not be in the interest of justice and would prejudice the accused.
