Arrest warrant issued for Zuma
A warrant of arrest has been issued for former president Jacob Zuma.
But, it's stayed until the 6 May this year, when his corruption matter will be heard again.
Judge Dhaya Pillay made the ruling in the Pietermaritzburg High Court where the case was underway earlier today.
"If an accused is not in attendance, if an accused has failed to produce a medical certificate, and in this instance, counsel for Mr Zuma was notified in advance in the middle of January - that this document or that sound evidence is required to justify his absence from court and without that evidence, this court cannot do anything else but issue warrant of arrest," she says.
Pillay's ruling came after the State said Zuma had failed to provide a medical report to validate claims he was still ill and couldn't attend today's proceedings.
He's out of the country receiving medical treatment.
Pillay scrutinised a sick note from a military doctor handed in by Zuma's attorney.
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Meanwhile, Zuma's lawyer Daniel Mantsha says it's been public knowledge that Zuma has been sick since last year.
"He had no reason not to believe the word from President Zuma's representative that indeed he was not going to appear in this court today."
"It was a matter of public knowledge that the former president will be out of the country to continue his medical treatment," he says.
Zuma is alleged to have taken bribes worth R4 million related to the arms deal in the 90s - when he was deputy president.
Both Zuma and French defence company Thales, which supplied equipment for navy vessels, deny the charges.
