Jacob Zuma, whose jailing last month on a contempt of court case led to a wave of looting and unrest was expected to appear at the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday in an arms deal corru ption case dating from his time as vice president.

The 79-year-old is serving a 15-month sentence at Estcourt prison in KwaZulu-Natal province but was moved to a hospital on Friday for medical observation. read more

“The NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) on behalf of all the parties sent a joint letter to Hon Judge Koen reflecting the parties’ agreement to postpone the hearing,” the Foundation said on Twitter.

The request had been made because the former president was in hospital, it added.

NPA spokesman Mthuzi Mahaga declined to comment on whether a postponement request had been made. Zuma’s lawyers did not respond to an email seeking comment.

“The matter involving former President Jacob Zuma and the Thales Group will resume in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 10 August 2021,” the Office of the Chief Justice said in a statement.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court is in KwaZulu-Natal – Zuma’s home province – where he enjoys strong support and which was the centre of almost a week of looting and arson that spread to other parts of the country and claimed over 300 lives.

His appearance could once again cause protests, especially in Pietermaritzburg.