By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Former president Jacob Zuma was absent from court proceedings on Monday in Pietermaritzburg High Court and another high-profile name was added to his defence team, none other than Advocate Barry Roux.
Roux, who shot to prominence during the Oscar Pistorius murder trial, was seen at the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg on Monday during proceedings for the multi-billion rand arms deal corruption case.
While Adv Roux didn’t put anything officially to Judge Piet Koen, he did consult with Advocate Sifiso Buthelezi, who led the defence’s arguments.
Roux’s fierce defence of the Blade Runner had the nation and world enthralled when he took on then-state prosecutor Gerrie Nel, who was equally fierce in his prosecutorial approach.
Roux’s strengths arguably lie in his scathing cross-examination skills, like when he reduced the police’s investigating officer on the Pistorius murder case to a bumbling, stammering mess in the witness box.
He can also go from a caring uncle figure sweetly inquiring about something to a volatile rottweiler in a matter of seconds.
Roux’s presence on the defence team, which also includes another well-known South African advocate, Dali Mpofu, has some wondering how the embattled former statesman can afford the high profile advocate, whose daily rate is reported to be in the region of about R50 000.
Judge Koen postponed the matter in August to allow the Constitutional Court to rule on Zuma’s latest legal bid to remove Billy Downer as prosecutor.
If the ConCourt dismisses Zuma’s appeal, the arms deal corruption trial should proceed on 7 November.
Zuma and Thales, a French arms firm, are facing 18 counts of corruption, money laundering, tax evasion, and racketeering in connection with a multibillion-rand weapons deal.
The court earlier heard arguments from the State that the trial should not be postponed any further. In response to this, the defence argued that they have not applied for a postponement, but rather are updating the court on the appeal processes.
“I will adjourn this matter to Wednesday the 19th this week when I will give my order this morning. The accused may be excused on that day, I will come into court and read out my order. If you are coming from far you may instruct, said Judge Koen.
Koen adjourned the case until 19 October, when he will deliver an order on the future progress of the case.
Livestream Video Below:
Video Courtesy of ENCA.