By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Jacob Zuma foundation said they are concerned by the Pietermaritzburg’s High Court decision to hear French arms manufacturer Thales matter virtually.
In a media statement on friday, the court said the hearing will resume at 10am on Monday.
However, the foundation said it is concerned by the court’s directive as it is not consistent with provisions of both the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) and the Constitution.
“The Foundation is concerned that the directions issued by the Court in PMB to hear the matter virtually are not consistent with provisions of both the CPA and the Constitution as set out below. The matter must be heard physically on the 19th or later when the country is calmer,” the foundation responded.
Siting the Constitution, Section 158 of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) it states, “Except as otherwise expressly provided for by this Act or any other law, all criminal proceedings in any court shall take place in the presence of the accuse.”
The Foundation is concerned that the directions issued by the Court in PMB to hear the matter virtually are not consistent with provisions of both the CPA and the Constitution as set out below.
The matter must be heard physically on the 19th or later when the country is calmer. pic.twitter.com/cTo4N6mJnz— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) July 17, 2021
Zuma,who is serving a 15-month jail term for violating a Constitutional Court order and Thales – which allegedly bribed the former statesman – are on trial over the controversial multibillion-rand arms deal.
The former president is facing 16 counts including fraud‚ corruption, money laundering and racketeering, while Thales faces four counts.
Zuma pleaded not guilty to all charges citing the case as a political which-hunt.