Former deputy president Jacob Zuma’s trial date has been set for July 31 next year in the Durban High Court, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Wednesday.
”As the NPA, we are very pleased with this as it offers us what we wanted all the time — which is enough time to prepare for this case,” spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said.
The date was agreed on by the NPA, Zuma’s defence and the Judge President of KwaZulu-Natal, Vuka Tshabalala.
So far, Zuma faces two charges of contravening the Corruption Act, brought after the conviction and sentencing of his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik on fraud and corruption charges. Shaik is out on bail pending appeal.
The charges against Zuma relate to alleged bribery in exchange for protection during the country’s multimillion-rand arms deal.
The indictment against Zuma is expected to be served on November 2. He will appear briefly in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on November 12.
”This guarantees, or ensures, Mr Zuma a speedy trial,” Nkosi said.
On Tuesday, Zuma promised more than 1 000 supporters outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court that he will reveal the reasons for his implication in corruption after his court battle.
Thanking them for their support, Zuma said he was humbled by their presence at his second appearance on the two charges of corruption on Tuesday morning.
Many had participated in an all-night vigil in his support on Monday night.
He had never imagined that after 10 years of democracy he would face charges for crimes he had never committed, Zuma told them.
Also speaking outside the court, the South African Communist Party’s Blade Nzimande called on the media to report on the case in a ”fair and balanced way” and not to promote factionalism in the SACP.
The crowd, which chanted ”Zuma my president, my president”, at the start of proceedings, later joined Zuma in song before dispersing. — Sapa