KwaZulu-Natal judge president Vuka Tshabalala was still not providing the name of the man who will preside over African National Congress deputy president Jacob Zuma’s corruption case.
”You don’t have long to go before he [the judge] enters the court,” Tshabalala said on Monday, barely an hour before Zuma’s case begins in Pietermaritzburg.
When asked about the presiding judge, he said he himself would not be presiding over Zuma’s case.
Judge Herbert Msimang is widely tipped to be the man to preside over the case.
However, there is speculation that proceedings would be extremely short.
The defence teams for Zuma and Thint have still not filed their application opposing the National Prosecuting Authority’s request to have the case postponed.
There was also talk that Zuma’s defence team will apply for the case to be struck off the roll.
Zuma faces two charges of corruption.
His co-accused, the arms company Thint, is accused of having offered him a bribe of R500 000 a year in exchange for his silence during a probe into the country’s multibillion-rand arms deal.
Zuma’s hearing is expected to commence at 9am.
‘He is going to win’
About 3 000 Zuma supporters filled Pietermaritzburg’s Freedom Square on Sunday night with singing and chanting as they prepared to hold their night vigil.
Vendors were doing a brisk trade selling boerewors, cooldrinks and other snacks as traffic cops kept vehicles away from the cordoned off areas outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
About 1 000 people marched up and down streets around the court, including six-year-old Fanela Ntanga who was with her mother.
”He [Zuma] is going to win,” the young girl said shyly.
Ntanga’s mother, Pretty Zulu, said she hoped the case would not be postponed.
Ntombi Mnyandu, who was paralysed in a car accident several years ago, sat outside in her wheelchair under a thick blanket.
She had travelled in a bus from KwaMashu and planned to spend the night outside the courthouse.
”I am praying for a dismissal,” said Mnyandu, who had also attended the South African Communist Party’s 85th anniversary rally earlier in the day at the Wadley Stadium in the nearby Edendale township.
Vendor Sibonisile Gavu said she had spent R540 on stocking her stall.
”I hope to make R800 of profit, but for now business is slow.”
She said she hoped the case would be thrown out of court on Monday.
Several youngsters would be missing school for the chance to pledge their support to the African National Congress (ANC) deputy president who is facing two corruption charges.
”Those who said Jacob Zuma committed a crime should proceed with the trial tomorrow [Monday]. If they don’t it should be thrown out of court,” Bheki Zungu (16) said.
The state has requested a postponement for further investigations into Zuma’s affairs, which Zuma’s lawyers would oppose.
Sibusiso Mthembu (22) said he supported Zuma because: ”Zuma has supported a lot of poor kids with their school fees. I hope when he becomes president he will continue developing our communities.”
While people gathered in the streets around the court, Immanuelle Potgieter, a Pietermaritzburg pub owner, attempted to lure thirsty supporters into spending money at his bar.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for finance Zweli Mkhize also stopped by early in the evening to watch those marching. – Sapa