by Frank Utonga
Former president Jacob Zuma will still appear in the Pietermaritzburg High Court for his Arms Deal corruption trial on Tuesday 8 September. According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in KwaZulu-Natal Natasha Kara, the NPA will issue a statement following the court proceedings.
The definitive answer comes after the Jacob Zuma Foundation lashed out at the NPA on Sunday for its unreadiness regarding the trial.
Zuma and French arms company Thales — a co-accused in the trial — face 12 counts of fraud, four counts of corruption, one count of racketeering and another for money laundering. If found guilty, he could face a maximum of 25 years in prison. It was reported that Thales made an R500 000 bribe to Zuma, seeking protection from the investigation while the underhanded Arms Deal was seen through.