Judge named for Zuma court appearance

KwaZulu-Natal’s first black female judge, Leona Theron, will preside over African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma’s court appearance in the Pietermaritzburg High Court next month, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday.

The province’s Judge President, Vuka Tshabalala, confirmed the appointment of Theron for Zuma’s February 4 court appearance to the SABC.

At this court date, Zuma’s legal team and the National Prosecuting Authority are expected to decide on a suitable trial date.

Zuma faces charges of corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering.

These charges were automatically reinstated after the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled in favour of an appeal by the National Director of Public Prosecutions against Judge Chris Nicholson’s judgement, which had set aside the charges last year.—Sapa