A major security operation comes into effect at the Durban Magistrate’s Court at 4pm on Monday ahead of the appearance of former deputy president Jacob Zuma.
Zuma will appear in court on Tuesday on two charges of corruption following the conviction and sentencing of his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.
”When the court proceedings are finished today, nobody will be allowed to enter the building if they don’t have accreditation for the Zuma case,” the court’s manager, Cyril Mncwabe, said on Monday.
He said all other proceedings will be delayed by two hours on Tuesday, between 9am and 11am, during Zuma’s appearance.
KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Director Bala Naidoo said they have a ”two-phase” security operation in place.
He said the police’s security operation — which includes traffic — will come into effect ahead of a night vigil by Zuma supporters.
”We expect between 1 000 and 1 500 people at the night vigil and we’ve made adequate security arrangements for a number of VIPs,” he said.
Naidoo said several provincial ministers, mayors, national ministers and KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sibusiso Ndebele are expected at the court on Monday night and Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Monday it will oppose a Durban High Court application by Zuma and his attorney, Mike Hulley, for the return of documents seized during raids by the Scorpions in August.
”We won’t return the documents just because they want them,” said NPA spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi.
”Our search-and-seizure operations were legal. We had a court order. On what grounds should we return it?” he asked. — Sapa