/ 8 October 2010

State ready for Zuma racecourse trial

State Ready For Zuma Racecourse Trial

The police have completed their investigations into the allegations that a Gauteng racehorse owner spilled his drink on President Jacob Zuma, the Durban Magistrate’s Court heard on Friday.

“The investigations are complete and the state is ready to proceed with the trial,” said state prosecutor Thami Ntuli.

The state alleges that Daryl Peense, 31, of Alberton, Johannesburg, spilled his drink on Zuma during the Durban July.

Peense, who faces an assault charge, briefly appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Eyewitness news
reported Peense “allegedly tried to throw a drink at President Jacob Zuma”.

“Authorities are clearly taking this seemingly minor incident very seriously.”

The chairperson of Gold Circle Racing, who had been walking with the president at the time, reportedly said neither he nor Zuma had even noticed.

The case was postponed to October 22 to give Peense’s lawyer time to interview two witnesses. Ntuli said the state had four witnesses.

The trial date would be set during the next court appearance, he said. — Sapa