LISTEN: Court dismisses Zuma’s application to remove Downer
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has dismissed former president Jacob Zuma's application to have prosecutor Billy Downer removed from his corruption case.
Zuma wanted Downer to recuse himself as prosecutor in the corruption trial, arguing that his past conduct would compromise his case.
The former president and French arms company Thales are facing charges of corruption, racketeering and money laundering relating to the 1999 multi-billion-rand arms deal.
On Tuesday, Judge Piet Koen dismissed the application.
He said Zuma's attacks on Downer were largely speculative and had no basis to remove him from the case.
“I conclude that Mr Zuma’s complaint even if taken at face value do not affect the title of Mr Downer to prosecute, I also conclude that there is no basis to assign a wider meaning to the word ‘title’ to include instances of a lack of independence, impartiality or bias on the part of a prosecutor.
“There is no need for such development as adequate remedies already exists in our law to cater for the situation where the fair trial right of the accused would be infringed, the special plea therefore forced to be dismissed.”
Zuma’s trial is set to start on 11 April 2022.
Listen to Judge Piet Koen below:
ALSO READ
