A South African judge presiding over Jacob Zuma's arms corruption trial recused himself on Monday, in a move likely to add further delay in an affair already dating back more than two decades.

A new judicial report claims Jacob Zuma is "a critical player" in a massive theft from state enterprises in South Africa. But the ex-president pledged to challenge the findings.

The latest installment in a scathing report into the presidency of former South African leader Jacob Zuma says that he played a critical role in the plunder of state entities. About 880 million euros worth of contracts for the Eskom power utility are thought to have been shadily awarded.

Police in South Africa say 72 people have been killed and over 1,200 have been arrested in unrest set off by the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma. In a statement Tuesday night, police Maj. Gen. Mathapelo Peters said many of the deaths were caused by stampedes when shops were being looted.

South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma appeared in court on Monday (January 31) to face a long-standing corruption trial regarding a $2 billion government arms deal. Zuma's lawyers had argued that lead state prosecutor, Billy Downer, should be removed from the case, claiming that Downer is biased and his involvement would result in Zuma not getting a fair trial.

Will Jacob Zuma return to prison? South Africa's highest court orders the former president to be re-incarcerated after setting aside an earlier decision to release him on medical parole. Meanwhile, the country records close to 27,000 new Covid-19 cases, an all-time record. Plus, European football clubs say they may not release their African players to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations, amid fears surrounding the tournament's Covid-19 health protocol.

S.Africa's Ramaphosa welcomes Zuma's medical parole

The state accuses Zuma of bribery, fraud and money laundering in a $2 billion weapons contract with French company Thales in the late 1990s. He denies all the charges.

The corruption trial of the former South African president is set to resume despite violence that shook the country this week. The court will hold a virtual session to "avoid disruption."

Zuma’s son Duduzane appeals to looters: Please be careful while looting and protesting.

 

The former president faces a jail term for contempt of court after refusing to appear at his own corruption inquest. His lawyer argues that he is in poor health and is not a flight risk.