Judge Emmanuel Chili will preside over the corruption trial of former President Jacob Zuma when it resumes within the High Court in Pietermaritzburg on April seventeenth.
Judge Piet Koen recused himself from the trial on Monday morning, highlighting among the causes that led to his choice to recuse himself. He mentioned it was influenced by the robust views he made when he dismissed varied prior functions that have been made by Zuma on this matter.
Zuma argued in his submissions that it might be perceived that Koen thought Downer was not responsible of the crimes he was prone to be charged with.
Zuma mentioned this may make it tough for him to have a good trial.
Previously, Koen dismissed Zuma’s particular plea for Downer’s recusal through which the previous President accused Downer of being biased, saying he wouldn’t get a good trial if Downer continued prosecuting the case. Koen says his choice is to protect the integrity of the courtroom course of past criticism.
“If that was to be my conclusion to resolve that Mr Downer is not removed, Mr Zuma will be reasonably justified to feel aggrieved that a decision was made favouring the arguments of Mr. Downer dictated or at least very strongly influenced by my previous findings in order to be consistent with my previous findings and the views I expressed I have come to the conclusion and it was not an easy decision that I have to recuse myself from the trial it is what a sound administration of justice, the requirements of the constitution and my conscience dictate the integrity of the judiciary process must be protected against any reasonable taint of suspicion.”
Zuma Foundation
Meanwhile, the J.G. Zuma Foundation has welcomed Judge Koen’s choice to recuse himself.
Foundation spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi says, “Congratulate Judge Koen for taking such a sober choice and we should underscore the truth that this was a voluntary choice, it’s not as a result of President Zuma requested for it.
“The judge wanted to make sure that the process is being reproached, the judge wanted to ensure that justice is seen to be done the judge wanted to make sure that the apprehension of bias is removed and so that President Zuma indeed gets a fair trial we hope that the NPA is going to take a leap out of Judge Koen’s book and see that in order for justice to be seen to be done this is a kind of thing that we have been asking that should happen with Billy Downer,” Manyi provides.
VIDEO | Judge Piet Koen recuses himself from Zuma’s corruption trial: Mzwanele Manyi
Zuma’s non-public prosecution matter in opposition to Downer and News24 authorized reporter Karyn Maughan will likely be heard in the identical courtroom on Thursday.
