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South Africa’s Zuma makes second court appearance on corruption…

DURBAN, South Africa (Reuters) – Former South African President Jacob Zuma, who was ousted by his own party in February, appeared at the Durban High Court on Friday for the second time on corruption charges relating to a $2.5 billion arms deal in the late 1990s.

Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to the deal to buy European military hardware to upgrade South Africa’s armed forces after the end of apartheid in 1994.

 

State prosecutors and Zuma’s lawyers presented arguments over a start date for the trial, a rare example of an African leader being held to account for his actions.

Judge Mjabuliseni Madondo adjourned the case to July 27 for the state and the defence to indicate whether they can commence the case. The matter will be heard in the nearby city of Pietermaritzburg to allow for renovations at the Durban court.

“There are still some applications to be launched,” he said, adding that it was still too early to say when a trial could start. Lawyers for the state said they were still ready for a trial to start in November.

Zuma, clad in a dark suit and red tie, shook hands and laughed with his supporters as he left the court. Outside, hundreds of supporters sang his name and waved placards.

The national prosecutor this week turned down a request by the 76-year-old to delay Friday’s hearing pending the outcome of a separate legal challenge over the state paying his legal fees.

The speed with which prosecutors have moved against Zuma is a sign of his waning influence since he was replaced as head of state by Cyril Ramaphosa, his former deputy, four months ago.

Ramaphosa has made the fight against corruption a top priority as he seeks to woo foreign investment and revamp an ailing economy.

Zuma’s supporters say the former president, whose nine years in power were marked by economic stagnation and credit rating downgrades, is the victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt.

Writing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Alexander Winning; Editing by James Macharia

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Dad released on warning to bury son he ‘shot by mistake’

father who allegedly shot and killed his son outside a Johannesburg school held his head in his hands as he faced a charge of murder on Thursday.

Emanuel Tshabalala‚ 51‚ dressed in jeans and a purple hoodie‚ had tears streaming down his face when he applied for bail in the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court‚ saying he wanted to bury his son.

The state did not oppose bail and the court, taking into account the fact that he handed himself over and had cooperated fully with the police, released him on a warning.

Magistrate Maggie van der Merwe said: “I can only describe this incident as a tragedy.”

Tshabalala was sleeping in his car after dropping off his 16-year-old son‚ Luyanda Themba Tshabalala‚ for evening classes on Tuesday. He was woken by knocking on the window and‚ thinking he was in danger‚ discharged his firearm.

Sibusiso Tshabalala, the father who allegedly accidentally shot and killed his teenage son outside a school in Johannesburg, appeared at the Lenasia Magistrate’s Court on June 7 2018. Tshabalala was released on warning, without having to pay bail.

He said in an affidavit presented to court that after firing the weapon‚ Luyanda said: “Daddy‚ it’s me”.

He got out of the vehicle‚ went to his son and then rushed his son to get medical help but there was nothing that could be done to save his life.

“This is my first accident and a painful one‚” he tearfully told the court. He said the incident would haunt him for the rest of his life.

He is employed as a security officer at the vehicle unit of the South African Police Services in Krugersdorp.

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi was in court to listen to proceedings. “We cannot go into circumstances that led into the death. We respect the justice system. We will continue to support the family and the learners‚” said Lesufi.

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LIVE: ‘I can say whatever I want to say now,’ says Jacob Zuma

I want to send a message to the people that like talking about me at their organisations. I must not be the agenda of their meetings.

After that they call the media to talk about me. When I was still the president, I had to withhold what I wanted to say

That’s why education links to every important thing.

The reason why we are all not educated, was deliberate.

When you build a nation, you build kids.

I had to keep quiet because of my position. But now I’m an ordinary citizen and can say whatever I want to say. They should stop making themselves look good using my name.

They keep on saying I am corrupt but cannot say what I did. They should not provoke me. I might talk about what I know about them.

I need to repeat this cause I’m tired of behaving (being good).

What I was reporting is what the court said. I’d like to touch this lightly….a few days ago I gathered with young girls and boys from Cosas.

We were talking about free education. They wanted to know what had happened to that.

I want to emphasise to them that the Freedom Charter says education should be free and compulsory.

Us black people were oppressed and denied education so that we remain poor the way we are.