The state alleges that Zuma took bribes from Thales, through Shaik, to shield the company from investigation for improper arms procurement dealings in the 1990s, when it won a contract to supply combat systems to the South African navy.
The charges were controversially withdrawn in 2009 — paving the way for Zuma’s election as state president — and reinstated by then national director of public prosecutions Shaun Abrahams in 2018, after Cyril Ramaphosa succeeded Zuma as head of state. “We are not privy to the reasons behind this assertion as we are certain that advocate Downer is duly authorised to prosecute … We shall see what is in their papers,” Ngwenya told the. “We were anticipating a normal application with substantive reasons on why advocate Downer should recuse himself. They didn’t bring those papers; they were not ready. He has full authority to prosecute. It has never been withdrawn.
A source close to the former president pointed out: “Ace right now needs the support of Zuma’s supporters.”, often referred to as the original arms deal whistleblower, was at court on Monday because Downer had planned to call her as the state’s first witness.Mail & Guardian
The test established by the SCA in Porritt v The NDPP for the removal of prosecutors is very stringent. It will be interesting to see how the Zuma lawyers go through that 'eye of the needle'.
And so starts a fresh round of bogus reasons for a postponements.
M_Letsholonyane If he is not happy with Billy Downer then they can bring Advocate Paul Pretorius.
M_Letsholonyane Kunini baxakiwe i wander bazowafula nini ama main abantu base benze