Ex-South African Leader Zuma Pleads Not Guilty in Graft Case
- Zuma wants state prosecutor to recuse himself from trial
- Co-accused Thales also pleads not guilty to all charges
Jacob Zuma arrives at Pietermaritzburg High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, on May 26.
Photographer: Phill Magakoe/AFP/Getty Images
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Former South African President Jacob Zuma appeared in court on Wednesday to face corruption, money laundering and racketeering charges, and pleaded not guilty on all counts.
Zuma’s lawyer Dali Mpofu spent part of the first day of the trial arguing that state prosecutor Billy Downer should be replaced on the grounds that he wasn’t independent and impartial because he’d supported an opposition party’s bid to ensure his client faced charges. The state will file its response before the hearing resumes in the High Court in the eastern town of Pietermaritzburg on July 19.