Corruption case: 'I am innocent' - South Africa's Zuma tells cheering crowd
The immediate past president of South Africa, Zuma, is appearing in court today, April 6 to face corruption charges related to a 1990s arms deal. He is facing 16 counts of corruption, racketeering, fraud and money laundering.
- Jacob Zuma, ex-president of South Africa, is facing corruption charges
- Zuma is appearing at the high court in Durban today, Friday, April 6
- However, the ex-president denies wrongdoing telling his cheering supporters that he is innocent
The immediate past president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, is appearing in court today, April 6 to face corruption charges related to a 1990s arms deal.
BBC reports that the charges which dogged Zuma’s presidency were reinstated in 2016.
NAIJ.com gathered that he is facing 16 counts of corruption, racketeering, fraud and money laundering at the high court in Durban.
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Zuma was deputy president at the time of the decades-old arms deal. He is accused of accepting bribes from French arms firm Thales via his financial adviser at the time.
The adviser, Schabir Shaikh, was found guilty of trying to solicit the bribes and was jailed in 2005.
The case against Zuma was, however, dropped shortly before he ran for president in 2009.
Zuma, who was forced out of office in February, however denies any wrongdoing. He insists the charges are trumped up and politically motivated.
The former president’s supporters have reportedly descended on the city to rally for him.
The 75-year-old arrived at the court in his home province on Friday morning, smiling and giving a thumbs up to the crowd.
Zuma told thousands of supporters outside court in Durban that his opponents were telling lies and he would be proven innocent.
He alleged that the judiciary and politicians believed that he did not have rights.
"The truth will come out. What have I done?" Zuma told the cheering crowd. "I am innocent until proven guilty," he said.
It can be recalled that the last time Zuma was in court for a trial was more than 10 years ago on rape charges.
He denied the allegations and the case was later dropped. Back then, thousands came to support him including members of his own ANC party.
However, this time around the party led by the new president Cyril Ramaphosa has reportedly distanced itself from the controversy as the party prepares to contest the national elections in a year's time.
According to BBC, Zuma’s appearance at the hearing is likely to be brief.
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However, the former president appearing in a dock on corruption charges is "hugely symbolic" for South Africa's young democracy as many will reportedly see it as an era of impunity coming to an end.
NAIJ.com previously reported that Jacob Zuma resigned as the president of South Africa amidst numerous controversies surrounding his administration.
Zuma announced his resignation in a televised address to the people on Wednesday, February 14.
The ruling ANC party had asked the president to resign or face a possible vote of no confidence at the parliament on Thursday, February 15.
He said in his address: "I have served the people of South Africa to the best of my ability."
The ex-president also insisted that he did not agree with the way the party has treated him.
Zuma said he decided to resign in order to prevent bloodshed as no life should be lost because of him.
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Source: Naija.ng