His Excellency Jacob Zuma, the former South-African president is serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court, which led to him been in custody last month. Currently he has been allowed out of prison to appear in person at a corruption trial on Tuesday 10, August, 2021 next week.
The court’s decision comes, weeks after more than 300 people were killed during a riot that was sparked by Zuma’s arrest for contempt of court in a separate case. A heavy security presence is highly likely as Zuma’s supporters are expected to gather at the corruption trial in Pietermaritzburg – a city devastated by riots and looting sparkled by his arrest.
Nonetheless, this will be the second time President Zuma will appear in public since he was taken into custody last month. Meanwhile, last week President Zuma was also allowed out briefly, to attend his brother’s funeral.
Prosecutors have argued in favor of a virtual trial – citing the pandemic and security concerns, but a judge has now backed Zuma’s request to leave his prison cell and appear in person in Pietermaritzburg.
Zuma’s allies have been accused of trying to lead an insurrection against the state. The trial relates to a 1990s arms deal and allegations that Zuma received bribes. He denies all the charges.
Source: www.bbcnews.com
