Jacob Zuma Foundation says former president not in condition to appear in court
The Jacob Zuma Foundation has announced that former president Jacob Zuma has been advised by his doctors that he is not a condition to be in court on Monday due to a health issue.
The arms deal trial against Zuma and Thales was scheduled to begin on Monday at the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
"From yesterday, there were health issues with the president, but we thought that when we wake up today. All will be resolved, but as things stand right now, the doctor has advised that it's not advisable for him to be here,” the foundation’s spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi told journalists outside court.
"There is a protocol issue around the medical issues so we are still sorting that out so that we can get finality."
Manyi said the judge was informed of the development.
READ: Zuma back in PMB court, set to seek postponement
"Lawyers from both sides have gone to approach the judge to appraise him of the situation. So we expect that maybe the court might stand down maybe for an hour or so. What we are waiting for now is the final word from the surgeon."
News just in: Former President, Jacob #Zuma has been advised by his doctors that he is not fit to be in court today. Spokesperson for his foundation, Mzwanele Manyi says #Zuma has health issues yesterday that have continued this morning. @ECR_Newswatch pic.twitter.com/G260ysycaS
— Nushera Soodyal (@nushera) April 11, 2022
Former ANC staffer Carl Niehaus, who is there to support the former president, was one of the first people to arrive earlier.
"President Zuma, yesterday through his foundation, announced that they expect the police and the national prosecuting authority to take seriously the charges that president Zuma laid against Mr Downer.
"Mr Downer acted illegally criminally, in fact he should be arrested and under the circumstances, there will be an application for this court case to be postponed until there is proper action taken against Mr Downer."
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