State prosecutor Billy Downer during court proceedings to decide Zuma v. Downer at the Pietermaritzburg High Court. (Darren Stewart/Gallo Images)
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says Jacob Zuma has no “right” to appeal against the rejection of its recent bid to force the sacking of corrupt prosecutor Billy Downer before the end of his trial. He argued that a lawsuit had to be filed (eventually). move on.
The former president will return to the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday morning, where his lawyers will argue his appeal application, while the NPA is seeking to set a final trial date.
The State said that Mr Zuma's latest appeal application was a “clear abuse of the judicial process” and that it was another manifestation of his “Stalingrad defense strategy”: “There is an improper intent and purpose to delay justice.” Since 2005, they have been seeking to postpone the trial. ”
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