South Africa: Arrest warrant issued for former president, Jacob Zuma
Reading time: 1 minute
A judge in South Africa has issued an arrest warrant for the country’s former president, Jacob Zuma, after he failed to appear in court for his corruption trial.
His lawyers said that Mr Zuma, 77, was ill and seeking treatment abroad.
But Judge Dhaya Pillay said the sick note provided by a military hospital in Pretoria did not include enough detail nor justify his absence. Furthermore, a date on the note appeared to have been altered and there was no medical licence number for the doctor.
Mr Zuma is accused of various financial offences relating to a $2 billion arms deal with the French defence company Thales in 1999, during his tenure as deputy president.
At previous court appearances, Mr Zuma has sung and danced in front of his supporters.
His arrest warrant has been stayed until May 6, when he is due back at Pietermaritzburg High Court.
Daniel Mantsha, his lawyer, told journalists that Mr Zuma was being persecuted and that a medical team would determine his fitness to attend court in May.
Share this article:
Subscribe to our newsletter to not miss articles like this one:
SUBSCRIBE
