Zuma ruling starts
2008-09-12 10:19
Pietermaritzburg - Judge Chris Nicholson started delivering judgment in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Friday on the lawfulness of the prosecution of Jacob Zuma.
Zuma arrived in the courtroom a few minutes before 10:00, when someone from the public gallery shouted "rise in court" to howls of laughter.
The mood in the courtroom was jovial as almost 40 photographers and television cameramen were briefly allowed to take pictures of the legal teams and senior members of the African National Congress seated in the gallery.
The entire ANC national executive committee was seated in the front row, behind the witness box where Zuma would stand.
Nicholson will decide the lawfulness of the decision to prosecute Zuma on corruption and other charges.
Zuma's lawyers argue that the decision was invalid because the state did not consult Zuma before recharging him with fraud and corruption.
A separate bid by Zuma for a permanent stay of prosecution is to be heard in November.
Outside the court, the judgment was being broadcast to thousands of cheering supporters.
- SAPA