The corruption trial of former President Jacob Zuma has been postponed until July 27 to give French arms firm Thales time to make a representation that charges against it should be dropped and Zuma’s legal team to ascertain whether the State will pay his legal fees
Zuma will make another appearance next month but his trial on charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering relating to a multi billion rand arms procurement deal while he was still vice president, is unlikely to start then.
After his brief appearance this morning (Friday), the former president took the stage to speak and sing to thousands of supporters outside the Durban High Court.
He said the charges against him should be dropped because they amounted to nothing.
He warned that he had the files on those meeting secretly against him and he would not hesitate to expose their corruption.
His mood was studiously upbeat as he ended his 30-minute speech in Zulu to supporters with two revolutionary songs including his trademark “mshiniwam”.
The specially elected stage included activists from organizations promoting land expropriation without compensation and radical economic transformation who have taken Zuma as a godfather figure.
It was also an opportunity for disgraces members like Carl Niehaus and Supra Mahumapelo to reciprocate the support Zuma has shown them in their hours of shame.
Question two
What was his mood?
(I have sent a sound clip of Zuna singing his trademark Mshiniwam (bring me my machine gun) liberation song, which we could insert here if you require)
Question three
Why does Zuma still have this amount of support?