Zuma’s corruption trial: S African attorney defies ruling, extends deadline

Respite continues to come the way of South African president, Jacob Zuma as the country’s public prosecutor has granted extension to January 31 2018, deadline for submission of defense argument.

Agency report, said that South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on Monday, extended to the end of next month, the deadline for President Jacob Zuma to submit arguments on why he should not be prosecuted for corruption.

“They must submit their representation on the 31st of January,” said NPA spokesman Luvuyo Mfaku, referring to Zuma’s lawyers who requested an extension from the Nov. 30 deadline.

The November 30 deadline had been given by state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams, whose appointment was ruled ‘invalid and set aside’ by the High Court last week.

Court argued that President Zuma could not appoint the National Director of Public Prosecutions since he was clearly conflicted, given the many criminal charges against him that have not gone away.

They must submit their representation on the 31st of January, the court had granted.

According to the report, the South African president, said he would appeal the court’s ruling and the NPA’s spokesperson Mfaku confirmed that Abrahams would remain in office until the appeal is determined.

The charges against Zuma relate to a 30 billion rand ($2 billion) government arms deal arranged in the late 1990s and have amplified calls for Zuma to step down before his term as president ends in 2019.

It would be recalled that in October the Supreme Court of Appeal upheld an earlier decision by a lower court that the nearly 800 corruption charges filed against Zuma before he became president be reinstated.

Bonny Amadi with Agency Report