Zuma Awaits Crucial Court Decision On Prosecutor Recusal Appeal

Judge Nkosinathi Chili is expected to hand down his ruling on Thursday in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on the appeal application by former President Jacob Zuma of his earlier dismissal of Zumas application for the recusal of the lead prosecutor in his arms deal corruption trial.

Zuma and the State, who opposed the appeal application, argued the matter in February this year, when judgment was reserved.

This latest application before Judge Chili follows the dismissal in 2022 by then-trial court judge Piet Koen of Zumas special plea to have Advocate Billy Downer removed as prosecutor.

In his argument for Downers recusal before Judge Chili, Zuma said that there were reasonable grounds for him to fear that Downer might hold a grudge against him, particularly since Zuma brought a private prosecution against the prosecutor for alleged media leaks.

Judge to rule on Zuma appeal on Thursday