Shocking amount of police

Photo: Twitter

Shocking amount of police deployed to PMB court for no show of Zuma or supporters

Police officers were deployed outside the court on Tuesday morning as it was anticipated that Zuma supporters would swarm the court. But it was a no show.

Shocking amount of police

Photo: Twitter

A shocking number of police and security forces were out in full force at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday, where former President Jacob Zuma was expected to appear in person.

SHOCKING HOW MANY POLICE WERE DEPLOYED

Law enforcement was also deployed to hotspot areas, where intelligence points to the greatest likelihood for unrest.

This comes after supporters of former Zuma vowed last week to come out in large numbers and gather at the Pietermaritzburg High Court to demand his release.

Their insistence came on Wednesday last week, as the Jacob Zuma Foundation pleaded with the police and other security forces to work in harmony with the supporters, to ensure that there is no confrontation outside the court.

But this was however not the case on Tuesday.

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According to media reports the Freedom Square precinct, where Zuma’s supporters normally gather, outside the court, was deserted ahead of his hearing on Tuesday.

Some media on the scene reported that only a handful of supporters came but they were turned away.

Police, who were anticipating Zuma backers to flock into the area to lend support during his arms deal criminal case, earlier cordoned off the area with barbed wire.

The #FreeJacobZuma campaign will reportedly await the outcome of this hearing to announce the continuation of plans for peaceful and lawful mobilisation and protest for the new date that will be set for the physical appearance of President Zuma in the so-called ‘arms deal’ trial.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday ordered that former president Jacob Zuma’s team need to produce a medical report by no later than 20 August 2021.

Zuma, whose jailing last month on a separate contempt of court matter led to a wave of looting and unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

He was expected to appear in court on Tuesday but the long-delayed corruption trial against Zuma was once again postponed to September 9 following his hospitalisation last week.

The court further said it is directed that the State may appoint a medical practitioner of its choice to examine Zuma and if necessary, to give evidence as to his fitness to attend court and stand trial.