Former President Jacob Zuma’s legal woes continue as he has lost another court battle.

His special plea to have senior prosecutor Billy Downer rescued from his corruption case has been dismissed in the Pietermaritzburg High Court. Judge Piet Koen says Zuma’s recusal attempt is largely speculative, and based on hearsay evidence.

Zuma had accused Downer of leaking sensitive information including his medical records to the media.

Zuma’s application was largely seen as a campaign to delay his trial.

Zuma faces 16 charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering related to the controversial 1999 arms deal. Zuma who was the deputy president at the time is accused of taking bribes from arms manufacture Thales. The firm also faces charges of corruption and money laundering.

[Picture: GCIS]