The State on Monday hit back at former President Jacob Zuma's legal team's argument that Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Piet Koen has no real choice but to postpone his corruption trial against the backdrop of his appeal against the outcome of his special plea.
Zuma's counsel, Dali Mpofu SC, argued that in terms of the relevant legislation, the appeal process automatically suspended the trial leaving Koen with little to no discretion.
But Advocate Billy Downer said that was not the case in the current matter and essentially accused Zuma of trying to avoid his day in court with what he's described as "just a made-up application". “This is the State’s submission that indeed this application currently before this court is meritless and is but one of those defences that is raised continually without any prospects of success," Downer said.A decision is expected on Monday afternoon.
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