Court Rejects Zuma’s Bid to Remove Prosecutor in Arms Deal Trial

The Pietermaritzburg High Court has delivered another legal setback to former President Jacob Zuma, dismissing his latest attempt to have lead prosecutor Advocate Billy Downer recused from his corruption trial.

In a ruling on Friday, Judge Nkosinathi Chili found Zuma’s application for leave to appeal had no reasonable chance of success, stating no other court would likely disagree with the previous decision to keep Downer on the case. This marks the latest in a series of failed attempts by Zuma to challenge Downer’s involvement.

Zuma has repeatedly claimed the veteran prosecutor is biased against him, alleging misconduct in the handling of the long-delayed case stemming from South Africa’s controversial 1990s arms deal. However, courts have consistently rejected these arguments, finding insufficient evidence to support the allegations.

The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the decision, with spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga stating: “This ruling confirms the judiciary’s commitment to a fair and timely process. We remain prepared to move forward with the trial.”

Legal experts suggest Zuma’s team may now turn to the Supreme Court of Appeal, though such a move is unlikely to further delay proceedings. The former president faces multiple charges including fraud, corruption and racketeering, all of which he denies, maintaining the prosecution is politically motivated.

The ruling clears another potential obstacle in the protracted legal saga, which has stretched over nearly two decades since the original arms deal investigations began. With this latest decision, the path appears clearer for the trial to finally proceed to its substantive phase.