South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma stands accused of taking kickbacks before he became president from a 51-billion-rand (USD 3.4-billion) purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military equipment manufactured by five European firms, including French defence company Thales.
He is expected in court on corruption charges on Tuesday, in what would be the first time he faces trial for graft despite multiple accusations.Zuma faces charges of corruption, racketeering and money laundering concerning deals he made during South Africa’s 1999 two-billion-euro arms procurement.
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) party forced him to resign as president last year after a nine-year reign marred by corruption allegations and diminishing popularity.
The prosecution who are ready to produce their facts says they do not know what to expect tomorrow.
After several attempts to dodge the trial, he will appear before a High Court in the southeastern city of Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday for the opening of the case in which he allegedly profited four million rands (USD 270,000).
However, his appearance could be brief. As per a court official, Zuma would likely appeal last week's ruling that he should stand trial.
This could drag out a case that is already more than 20 years old.
Before this, Zuma asked the case to be struck off, saying the charges were politically motivated. He also told the court earlier this year that he was unable to pay his lawyers.
Zuma is expected to appear alongside representatives of Thales, which is accused of paying the bribes. Johannesburg -based lawyer Tyrone Aseko said, “I just don't see how the trial is going to start tomorrow. It takes a whole year to prepare for a trial of this magnitude,» Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering related to the 1990s arms deal struck when he was deputy president to the country's second black president Thabo Mbeki.
Analystsfeel that if Zuma goes on trial, he will drag down with him many leaders of Nelson Mandela's ANC, which has governed the country since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Zuma was ordered to appoint a commission of inquiry into the corruption scandal — commonly known as "state capture”, which has been hearing testimonies since August last year.
Zuma appeared at the inquiry in July, putting on a defiant performance and denying all wrongdoing. President Cyril Ramaphosa, who took over from Zuma, has vowed to tackle deep-seated corruption but faces opposition from senior powerful ANC members, many of whom remain Zuma allies.
