Security tight for Zuma hearing

2008-11-28 08:23

Bloemfontein - The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein swarmed with security officials on Friday morning ahead of an appeal against a high court ruling favouring ANC leader Jacob Zuma.

Bloemfontein residents seemed oblivious to the magnitude of the case that will be heard by five judges and which involves former president Thabo Mbeki, African National Congress president Zuma and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Policemen and security officials outnumbered journalists but, by 08:00, there was no sign of the throngs of supporters the Free State ANC vowed would rally outside court.

Security arrangements were strict. Judge Louis Harmse, who is leading the hearing and who arrived at court early, ordered that everyone be seated by 09:45 and that no journalist would be allowed to move in and out of the court room.

Street closed off

The street in front of the court had been closed off and policemen were deployed in and around the court building.

Bloemfontein residents went ahead with their day as usual and there was no sign of the rainy weather from Thursday night.

The NPA is seeking to have a Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling on September 12 by Judge Chris Nicholson overturned on appeal.

Nicholson ruled that the NPA's decision to charge Zuma was unlawful because he had not been allowed make representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions before he was charged.

Zuma was facing a charge of racketeering, four charges of corruption, a charge of money laundering and 12 charges of fraud.

Mbeki to address court

Mbeki will also get 45 minutes to argue why he should be allowed to intervene in the battle between the NPA and Zuma or be admitted to the legal fray as a friend of the court.

Mbeki wants to be allowed to challenge Nicholson's inferences of political meddling against him, which he claims led the ANC to recall him from his position as president of the country.

- SAPA