Jacob Zuma concourt minority

Former South African President Jacob Zuma. Photo by Themba Hadebe / POOL / AFP

Jacob Zuma ‘appeals his appeal’: Here’s what he’s told the Supreme Court

He’s fighting tooth and nail to get his corruption case thrown out of court. Jacob Zuma has now turned to judges in Bloemfontein to get his way.

Jacob Zuma concourt minority

Former South African President Jacob Zuma. Photo by Themba Hadebe / POOL / AFP

Keeping up with the legal cases Jacob Zuma is embroiled in can be a strenuous task. He has seen more courtrooms than Judge Judy. But when he starts complaining to higher authorities about judgements made in other courts, it muddies the waters even further.

Appealing an appeal – doesn’t sound too appealing…

As BusinessDay reported, Jacob Zuma has filed a case with the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein. He is appealing against the Pietermaritzburg High Court’s dismissal of his appeal for a permanent stay of prosecution in the highly-publicised “arms deal” corruption case.

So, just to be clear: His appeal to have all charges against him in this case dropped was dismissed by the KZN courthouse. So Msholozi, never one to take things lying down, approached a higher authority to try and secure the outcome he wants, thus overruling the bench in PMB. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, we suppose.

What Jacob Zuma has told the SCA

A few scintilating bits of information from the files submitted by Jacob Zuma and his defence team in Bloemfontein have been made public. He made a series of wild allegations against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and even accused some of their lawyers of “yearning for the era of apartheid”…

  • The defence team told the SCA that their application was made to “stop the NPA’s abuse of prosecutorial powers”. 
  • In his own affidavit, Jacob Zuma said the NPA’s actions are “reminiscent of apartheid prosecutors”.
  • Zuma denied the NPA’s argument, which states this appeal is another attempt at “delay tactics”.
  • Msholozi claimed the NPA have “violated his constitutional rights” with their case against him.
  • The former president also writes that he is “directly suffering” at the hands of power-hungry prosecutors – some of whom are “nostalgic” for the apartheid era.

When is Jacob Zuma back in court?

Although the legacy of apartheid does still loom large over South African society, JZ’s claims that he is being targeted by the old guard are fanciful at best. It’s doubtful that the SCA will look at Zuma’s case any differently to their colleagues in Pietermaritzburg – but should they need more time to review the paperwork, the 77-year-old may be granted a delay in his corruption trial.

Jacob Zuma is due back in court on 6 May. The stakes are about as high as they’ve ever been: If he doesn’t show up, a warrant for his arrest will come into effect. The tide is turning against the ex-leader of South Africa, and his 15-year escape act from these charges looks like it’s coming to a conclusion.