Zuma enters courtroom

2008-08-04 10:37

Pietermaritzburg - Ruling party president Jacob Zuma entered a packed court room on Monday morning, waving at supporters who were taking pictures of him with their cell phones.

Zuma, who is launching a bid to have the corruption case against him dropped, looked relaxed as he entered a packed court room where only 20 seats had been reserved for journalists.

Zuma, wearing a dark blue suit and chequered tie, smiled and joked with colleagues and waved back at supporters waving at him.

At least 50 photographers crammed into the court room when they were allowed 10 minutes to take pictures.

Pierre Moynot of co-accused French arms manufacturer Thint, arrived together with his lawyer, Peter Hodes, with his wife shortly before the photographers were given permission to take pictures.

Hodes represented Thint during Zuma's Constitutional Court case to have the search and seizure raids declared unlawful.

Slipped into court

Zuma earlier arrived quietly through a back entrance to the court room flanked by body guards and was ushered into a small back room.

Zuma was charged on December 28, 2007. He faces a charge of racketeering, four charges of corruption, a charge of money laundering and 12 charges of fraud.

The man tasked with hearing the argument is Judge Chris Nicholson, who will be assisted by Advocate Griffiths Madonsela and private attorney Ranjit "JP" Purshotam.

- SAPA