Categories
AFNewsNG Logo
Around The World Special Report

Warrant of arrest issued for Jacob Zuma

chuks oti

Feb 04, 2020

mail

Judge Dhaya Pillay says the court was forced to issue a warrant of arrest as there was insufficient evidence that the former president Jacob Zuma was ill
The high court in Pietermaritzburg has issued a warrant of arrest for former president Jacob Zuma, after he failed to appear in court for his corruption trial on Tuesday.

READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge

Judge Dhaya Pillay said the court was not provided with sufficient evidence that Jacob Zumawas indeed ill.

READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks

"Without that evidence, the court cannot do anything else but issue a warrant of arrest,ÔÇØ she said.

READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO

Pillay, however, stayed the warrant until May 6 when the trial will resume and Zuma is required once again to appear in court.

READ ALSO: Pastor caught while trying to sleep with a married woman |WATCH VIDEO

Read Also:Deadly: Militia Kill, Behead Two Farmers in Taraba

READ ALSO: Why Gov. Lalong Met President Buhari Behind Closed Doors

Zuma is facing corruption, fraud and racketeering charges relating to the multibillion rand arms deal.

READ ALSO: President Trump Unveils $1,000 Investment Account for All Babies Born Between 2025-2028

He stands accused of receiving multiple bribes and gifts from his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, in exchange for his interventions and assistance with Shaik's business interests. It is the state's case that Shaik facilitated a R500,000/year bribe for Zuma from French arms company Thales in exchange for the former president's "political protectionÔÇØ from any investigation into the deal.

READ ALSO: Dr. Chima Anyaso Hosts Namibian Governor, Strengthens Africa's Economic Partnerships

Before his expected appearance in court on Tuesday, Zuma's lawyers had indicated that he would be unable to attend the hearing as he was receiving medical treatment overseas.

READ ALSO: Why INEC Deleted 2.7 Million Persons From Voter Register | READ DETAILS

KwaZulu-Natal director of public prosecutions Elaine Zungu had requested copies of any medical evidence they intended to submit to court to justify his absence.

READ ALSO: Trump Speaks Out: Why U.S. May Join the Israel-Iran War | READ DETAILS

Zuma's lawyer, Dan Mantsha, did submit a document to Pillay, however, the judge had questions about it.

READ ALSO: Jihadist raid on Burkina Faso village leaves at least 10 dead

She said the document titled "medical confidentialÔÇØ and marked as a pharmacy copy had a military hospital stamp, but no date and section B of the report had an abbreviation "HCPÔÇØ, which Mantsha could not explain.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Buhari reports Boko Haram, bandits to UN

Below that was typed "layman's diagnosis for consent of patientÔÇØ and in writing it said "medical conditionÔÇØ.

READ ALSO: Nwagba Set To Launch "Nigeria ValleyÔÇØ, As He Delivers Keynote Speech At The 70th Eisenhower Fellowship Anniversary

The sick leave date on the form had been altered but had not been initialled and it was not clear that the person who signed the document was a medical doctor, Pillay said.

READ ALSO: WHY Police Arrested Akon in Georgia Revealed: Full Details Emerge

"The court accepts that Mr Zuma might well be unwell, there is nothing to suggest that he is or is not,ÔÇØ she said.

READ ALSO: How I Survived When Everyone Else DiedÔÇØ - Lone Survivor of Air India Crash Speaks

"In this regard what goes out in the public domain, in the media and what is exchanged by council is not evidence. What this court requires is evidence. Some authentic, reliable, proof that Mr Zuma is indeed ill and when he will be available to stand trial.ÔÇØ

READ ALSO: Why Madagascar Soldiers Refused Orders to Shoot Protesters | WATCH VIDEO

Credits

Related Stories

""

— chuks oti

Join the Conversation

Signed in as Member