Zuma supporters set to gather as former president’s trial kicks off
The former president’s fraud and corruption trial is set to start in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday.
“We’ve called on our members who support President Jacob Zuma to also put on t-shirts showing support, dress in clothes that show support for him, take pictures of themselves, post it on social media and also post messages of support on social media,” says Niehaus.
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The Covid-19 pandemic means Zuma supporters won’t, as has become the norm, gather outside court to show their support.
A group of no more than 50 people will however gather in solidarity with the former president.
"The supporters of President Jacob Zuma in Gauteng will gather at the Booysens Hotel and conference centre,” says Niehaus.
"As you know in the past we have travelled to Pietermaritzburg and joined the thousands of people that go there to show their support to Jacob Zuma.
"In Gauteng, there will be a gathering of 50 people and everyone will have to abide by the lockdown regulations maintaining social distance wearing masks and everything else that is expected of the lockdown period.”
The former president is accused of receiving an annual bribe of R500,000 from his co-accused, French-based company Thales, for protection from an investigation into the controversial multibillion-rand arms deal.