'Silver Fox' to defend Zuma
2005-06-23 08:42
Johannesburg - The "Silver Fox" will be defending the former deputy president in court when he goes on trial on corruption charges.
Advocate Kessie Naidu, SC, also known as the "Silver Fox" because of his head of silver-grey hair, confirmed on Wednesday that he was "approached to act for Jacob Zuma".
The sacked deputy-president, whose second name, Gedleyihlekisa, means "deceptive smile", will be charged in the Durban regional court next Wednesday on at least two charges of corruption.
Naidu represented French arms dealer Thomson-CSF during the corruption and fraud trial of Schabir Shaik, Zuma's former financial advisor, and informed sources in legal circles believed this would probably be in Naidu's favour during Zuma's trial.
"It can be to his advantage because he is familiar with the issues related to Zuma's case," a source said.
The source said Julie Mahomed, Zuma's lawyer, would probably not serve on his legal team because she could be called as a witness in the case.
Naidu, a former chairperson of the Road Accidents Fund, rose to prominence as the advocate who led testimony before the Hefer Commission. This commission investigated allegations that the former director of public prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka, acted as a spy for the apartheid government.