Zuma's 'Stalingrad' strategy sharply in focus

The reason for the decision to prosecute former President Jacob Zuma on charges of racketeering, money laundering, fraud and corruption does not matter, even if it was politically motivated. This is one of the arguments set to be put to the KZN High Court (Pietermaritzburg) by Advocate Wim Trengove SC today as he argues against an application by Zuma for a permanent stay of prosecution. At the same time, Trengove is expected to point out that the case against Zuma is very strong, and that evidence exists which proves his guilt. A report on the News24 site notes that Zuma has failed to set out the exceptional circumstances he needed to prove why he deserves to be permanently let off the hook. In the state’s heads of argument, the application for a stay of prosecution is branded another rung on the ladder of Zuma’s Stalingrad defence strategy 'which he has implemented and pursued ever since he was indicted on 20 June 2005'. Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC, on behalf of Zuma, on Monday argued that the NPA is responsible for the 14-year-long delay in the matter. However, the state has set out in detail how the prosecution could not proceed at various stages due to a raft of litigation, including the DA’s ultimately successful bid to have the so-called Spy Tapes released.