Former President Jacob Zuma is back in court today, seeking leave to appeal the dismissal of his bid to have lead prosecutor Advocate Billy Downer removed from his corruption trial. Zuma has accused Downer of bias in the case, which centers on charges related to South Africa's multi-billion-rand arms deal.¹
This marks Zuma's second attempt to have Downer recused from the trial. His previous bid, which lasted over two years, was presided over by Judge Piet Koen. In dismissing Zuma's renewed recusal application last year, Judge Nkosinathi Chili noted that all grounds for the application had already been reviewed by higher courts, including the Supreme Court of Appeal and the Constitutional Court, which ruled against Zuma.²
The High Court in Pietermaritzburg will hear Zuma's application today. Zuma is being tried alongside French arms company Thales. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
