Former South African president Jacob Zuma who is facing fraud and corruption charges speaks with a member of his legal team in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, May 17, 2021.
The 79-year-old Zuma, who was at the time serving as deputy president to Thabo Mbeki, is accused of accepting bribes amounting to four million rands from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales. Dozens of people, including senior ruling ANC officials like the recently suspended party secretary-general Ace Magashule, rallied in show of support for the embattled former head of state at the Pietermaritzburg High Court.“I am here to support president Zuma,” Magashule told AFP, dismissing the trial as “so political”.
“We should allow president Zuma, with grace and dignity, to rest at home,” an ANC lawmaker and former North West provincial premier Supra Mahumapelo said.