Judgment reserved in Jacob Zuma's leave to appeal application against Downer's recusal

Former president Jacob Zuma appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday where his lawyers applied for leave to appeal against a ruling that dismissed the recusal of State advocate Billy Downer. 

Dali Mpofu SC, for Zuma, argued that the appeal must be heard before the trial.

"We can't go to the end of the trial and decide at the end. That is madness. To run the trial would be a waste of time and a waste of money."

The State is opposing the application, saying that an appeal should not be granted until the trial is completed.

The question was whether the involvement of Downer in the trial would infringe Zuma’s right to a fair trial.

In March 2024, Zuma's application to have lead prosecutor Billy Downer recused was unsuccessful. 

Zuma accused Downer of prosecutorial bias, in which he believed he would not get a fair trial. 

He claimed Downer leaked his medical records to the media.

Judgment was reserved.

Meanwhile Jacob Zuma's co-accused, French arms company Thales has made an application that the charges pertaining to the controversial Arms Deal be dropped. 

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Thursday confirmed being served with the application by Thales in the corruption case of former President Jacob Zuma.

NPA National spokesperson advocate Mthunzi Mhaga said the NPA will vigorously argue in opposition to the application, "as we believe it has no merit and stands to be dismissed".

IOL News