Arms deal trial: Zuma cries foul over prosecutor’s behaviour

Former president Jacob Zuma’s legal team is accusing Advocate Billy Downer, the lead prosecutor in his arms deal corruption trial, of going behind the defence’s back and discussing a trial date and the trial’s duration with KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Achmat Jappie.

The leaked email was shared on Twitter by Zuma’s daughter Duduzile Zuma. His new attorney Eric Mabuza expresses their client’s concerns to Jappie and Deputy Judge President Mjabuliseni Madondo.

“We act on behalf of former president Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, accused number one, our client, in this matter. Ordinarily, we should address this correspondence only to the honourable Deputy Judge President Madondo. As it will become clearer below, we have addressed it to the honourable Judge President Jappie.