Zuma corruption trial begins
2006-09-05 10:49
Pietermaritzburg - The corruption trial of Jacob Zuma and two co-accused French companies began in the Pietermaritzburg High Court shortly after 10:00 on Tuesday.
Zuma sat in the dock wearing a dark suit and smiled and put his hands together in greeting to his supporters.
Pierre Moynot, executive for the two Thint companies co-accused with Zuma, was also in court and shook hands with Zuma before he sat down in the dock.
Extra chairs were brought in to accommodate all the legal representatives in the room and large boxes of files, believed to be the documentation relating to a KPMG forensic audit were visible.
The State said in it heads of argument filed last week that the report would be ready by September 5. It also promised that a final indictment would be available by October 15.
The SABC's application to televise the Zuma trial was postponed. Thint's defence, led by Kessie Naidu, has asked for the application to be rejected.
Leading African National Congress provincial figures were present in the courtroom, including KwaZulu-Natal premier S'bu Ndebele and KwaZulu-Natal health MEC Peggy Nkonyeni.
Congress of SA Trade Unions secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi arrived shortly before proceedings started.
Outside the crowd of supporters and onlookers had swelled to about 6000, said metro police spokesperson Dumisani Phini.
Durban's top club disc jockey, DJ Siyanda, in a white suit and shirt, was among those attending.
Earlier Zuma supporter "Ma Mkhize" and four other women entertained the crowd with their dance moves and ululation on Church Street. They carried a banner saying: "Jacob Zuma - the people's choice".
It also read: "No 1 - Mbeki come and testify and clear Zuma".
- SAPA