SCA rejects Zuma's umpteenth attempt to remove Billy Downer from corruption trial

The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed former president Jacob Zuma’s umpteenth attempt to have prosecutor Billy Downer removed from his Arms Deal corruption trial.

Zuma, who is charged alongside arms company Thales, faces allegations of corruption linked to an alleged half a million-rand bribe connected to the 1999 arms procurement deal.

Zuma’s application followed the High Court ruling by Judge Nkosinathi Chili, who dismissed his request to disqualify Downer, finding no evidence that Zuma’s right to a fair trial would be affected if Downer continued as lead prosecutor.

The matter stems from Zuma’s earlier attempt to privately prosecute Downer and journalist Karen Maughan. He had accused Downer of unlawfully sharing his confidential medical records, including a doctor’s note, with the journalist. Zuma argued that this conduct violated the National Prosecuting Authority Act, but the NPA declined to pursue charges.

During the private prosecution, Zuma maintained that Downer’s continued involvement in the case would compromise his right to a fair trial. However, judges Gregory Kruger, Jacqui Henriques, and Mokgere Masipa later ruled that the private prosecution against Downer and Maughan amounted to an abuse of power.

More recently, the SCA found no compelling grounds to hear Zuma’s appeal and dismissed it with costs.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

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