Zuma advocate lashes out at being denied isiZulu opening statement
Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane says he feels insulted that he was not allowed to address the court in his home language on Monday
Former president Jacob Zuma’s advocate hit out at the Pietermaritzburg high court for not allowing him to make a 10-minute opening statement on the case in isiZulu on Monday. Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane told Business Day that Zuma’s legal team had sought permission to make the address prior to today’s hearing of his permanent stay of prosecution hearing. “But today I am told that I cannot address the court in my own language … I feel insulted.” Sikhakhane’s planned address in isiZulu, which he has provided to Business Day, translates as follows: “The manner in which the NPA, an organ of state, has handled this matter should offend anyone that subscribed to the constitution and the values that underpin it. It offends the values we chose would underpin the nature of our post-apartheid state. “This court, the custodian of the constitution, must be most offended by the reckless manner in which the NPA disregarded the constitution in their political pursuit of Zuma. “Zuma’s rights, in part...
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