Lungani Zungu
A not-so-frail-looking Jacob Zuma trekked from Nkandla to Pietermaritzburg on Thursday to open a case against senior state prosecutor Advocate Billy Downer for allegedly leaking his medical records to a journalist.
This is the second time in less than a week that the former president was spotted out in public, despite his apparent poor health.
The 79-year-old was sentenced to a 15-month jail term in June for contempt of court but was hurriedly released last month for apparently being too ill to serve his full sentence.
He has since been waging a legal war to stay out of jail, as he continues to battle the decades-old arms deal corruption charges brought against him several years ago.
In recent months, Zuma filed an application to have Downer recused from the arms deal case, arguing that he has acted improperly in his capacity as prosecutor. He has previously accused the advocate of working with international spying agencies, including the US-based Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Zuma now alleges that Downer had leaked his confidential medical records to a journalist, arguing this violated his rights to privacy.
The former president’s decision to open the case comes just days after he held a private meeting with his close allies at Sibiya Casino in Durban, bringing into question whether this matter was discussed during the meeting.
With the ruling on his recusal application against Downer due to be handed down on Tuesday, there is obviously speculation that this latest move is yet another delaying tactic on his part.
After opening the case on Thursday, a hail-looking Zuma greeted a small group of people gathered outside the police station but left soon after.
Zuma had been expected to address the media at 1pm outside the police station but arrived an hour late and did not do so.
He was accompanied by his daughter Duduzile and the spokesperson of the JG Zuma Foundation, Mzwanele Manyi.
The state has repeatedly accused Zuma of chucking out every trick in the book to delay his day in court over the arms deal charges he faces.
He is charged alongside French arms manufacturer Thales, formerly CFS Thompson.
The NPA has been firm, saying they would defend Downer.
Zuma was arrested on 7 July after he was sentenced to 15-months for defying two court orders.
On 5 September, his longtime ally, Arthur Fraser, the now-former head of correctional services, authorised his release on medical parole, claiming that Zuma is too sick to be in prison.
The DA, AfriForum and the Helen Suzman Foundation are challenging his release in court.
