Thousands of supporters of former president of South Africa Jacob Zuma are expected to mass-up at the Durban High Court on Friday as the former leader begins his corruption trial.
Last month the South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced that the country’s former president would be facing prosecution for 18 charges of corruption.
The charges relate to 783 questionable payments Zuma allegedly received in connection with the controversial multi-billion rand arms deal.
Jacob Zuma according to the NPA boss would be facing charges including 1 count of racketeering, 2 counts of money laundering and 12 counts of fraud.
Mr Zuma’s plea for the charges be dropped was rejected by the South African state prosecutors, but the former leader plans to legally challenge the decision to prosecute him.
He would be responding to the charges on Friday at the court and his supporters are to march to the court in solidarity.
A number of roads will be closed on Friday, as hundreds of people are expected to converge on Durban for a night vigil in preparation for the former president Jacob Zuma’s court appearance at the Durban High Court. The vigil is expected to take place on Thursday night. Zuma is set to appear in court on Friday.
A senior police official in South Africa, Superintendent Glen Naidoo said the police are aware of intentions of supporters to mass up at the court.
“The court proceeding is expected to start timeously at 9:30am at the Durban High Court on Margaret Mncadi Avenue (Victoria Embankment). The court can only accommodate 40 people . The balance of the supporters will be accommodated at the grassy area on Margaret Mncadi Avenue, opposite the court,” he said.
Meanwhile some major roads in Durban are to be closed due to the anticipated march of these Zuma supporters.
Source: Africafeeds.com
