This article written by Norimitsu Onishi pertains to the trial of former president Jacob Zuma. Mr. Zuma was stripped of his presidency back in February of this year after the victory of his opponent Cyril Ramaphosa. The announcement pertaining to the corruption that charges surfaced in March relating to the reinstatement of an arms deal that was dropped almost a decade ago. As a defendant, Mr. Zuma’s lawyers are pushing for postponement to prepare for and challenge the case, but doing so could postpone the opening trial indefinitely.

To appeal to his supporters and others doubting him, Mr. Zuma addressed the court speaking only in the Zulu language, focusing on the struggle of black people worldwide and maintaining his composure as a leader. He also highlighted how he himself, as a black male, as been a walking target because he championed “their” economic empowerment. The truth of the matter is, Mr. Zuma faced 16 charges in the arms case, including corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering. His lawyers are used legal maneuvers and his status to avoid presidency in order to delay his trial as long as possible. With the main opposition challenge of the decision to drop all charges against Mr. Zuma deemed irrational by the High court, it leaves one to wonder where the lines are drawn when it pertains to politic, corruption and ethics of political leaders.

Citation:

           Onishi, Norimitsu. “Jacob Zuma Appears in Court for South Africa Corruption Trial.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 6 Apr. 2018,          www.nytimes.com/2018/04/06/world/africa/jacob-zuma-south-africa-corruption.html.