Zuma’s corruption trial postponed again

JOHANNESBURG — Pietermaritzburg High Court Justice Piet Koen has granted former South African President Jacob Zuma’s request to postpone his trial.

In his verdict, announced Monday afternoon, Koen agreed to postpone the trial until next month.

That is pending the completion of Zuma’s request to SCA Chief Justice Mandisa Maya to review the court’s denial of his request for leave to appeal the outcome of his special pleading.

He essentially held that Zuma had the right to pursue all of his appeals and that this procedure automatically suspended the trial.

The former president was not present at the start of his trial as he appears to be ill.

But his request to postpone the start of the trial was carried out on Monday.

His lawyer, Dali Mpofu, told the court he had received instructions from Zuma, who had agreed to continue the proceedings in his absence.