Legal expert weighs in on Zuma postponement application
Judgment in former president Jacob Zuma's application for a postponement of his special plea hearing in his corruption case is expected to be handed down on Tuesday.
Zuma appeared from prison in Estcourt via video link for the Pietermaritzburg High Court proceedings.
Arguments were meant to be heard in Zuma's special plea application, which would see lead prosecutor Billy Downer recusing himself if granted.
READ: PMB High Court to make ruling on Zuma postponement application
However, Advocate Dali Mpofu, Zuma's lawyer, argued that the matter cannot be heard virtually due to this being a criminal trial and said that his client plans to give oral evidence in court.
He's applied for a two to three-week postponement in the matter.
The State argued that virtual proceedings would not put the former president at a disadvantage.
Legal expert Sunil Singh says there are two schools of thought.
"In every criminal trial, the accused has to be present, so I personally think in order for Judge Koen not to get any slack from this thing and not give them an opportunity to say you take that now to further delay the matter and say we are taking it to the CSA, the CSA will then have to review the decision and obviously delay the process.
READ: Zuma explains opposition to virtual hearing in corruption trial
"My thinking is this if they made the matter to be postponed to next week, not a problem, it not the end of the world, because remember his trial has got a long way to go. Then gives the defence the opportunity to approach the SCA or take the judge's decision on review to the SCA to say the judge acted incorrectly in the circumstances with will further delay it."
Zuma's currently serving a 15-month sentence for contempt of court in a separate matter.
