Durban: A South African High Court on Friday adjourned to June 8 a case where former South African President Jacob Zuma faces corruption charges related to a 1990’s arms deal.
Zuma is challenging the re-instatement of corruption charges that were dropped by prosecutors in 2009.
Judge Themba Sishi adjourned Zuma’s case to June in his initial court appearance at the Durban High Court after his lawyers confirmed they are appealing a decision to prosecute him.
The South African Supreme Court of Appeal in October last year ruled Zuma can face prosecution over the 783 corruption charges relation to a 1990’s arms deal.
Zuma had lodged a challenge at the court in Bloemfontein after a lower court decided in 2016 to reinstate the charges that were previously discontinued by prosecutors.
Zuma and other government officials were accused of taking kickbacks from the $5bn purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms manufactured by five European firms, including British military equipment maker BAE Systems and French company Thales.
Charges were first brought against Zuma in 2005 but dropped by prosecutors in 2009.
