Jacob Zuma appears before South African high court for first time since violent protests
FORMER South African president Jacob uma has appeared in public for the first time since his jailing sparked violent protests and looting that left 215 people dead.
uma, who was president from 2009 to 201 , appeared via video link as his corruption trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court resumed online on Monday.
uma wore a dark suit and red tie as his lawyers argued that the trial should be postponed until the 79-yearold can attend the proceedings in person.
He faces 1 counts of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud, in connection with a multi-billion-dollar arms deal that stretches back to 1999.
uma denies all allegations and has unsuccessfully tried to get the matter thrown out of court.
uma handed himself over to authorities on July to start a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court, after he snubbed an order to give evidence before a separate inquiry that is looking into other corruption allegations in his administration.
His lawyers are seeking to delay the arms deal trial on the grounds that
uma should have the right to physically appear before the court and that they have not been able to speak to their client in person since he turned himself in for the contempt of court sentence.
uma’s imprisonment led to mass protests by his supporters, which spiralled into mob violence and looting sprees.
Road and rail links were disrupted, food and fuel were in short supply in areas, and vigilante groups formed to protect property.
uma’s home province of Kwa ulu-Natal was among the hardest hit areas, along with heavily populated Gauteng, which includes the cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria.