Zuma allowed to sue over medical records leak

South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has been given permission to privately prosecute Billy Downer, the lead prosecutor in his arms deal corruption trial.

Zuma laid a criminal complaint against the lawyer for allegedly leaking his medical records to the press. The former president wants him to be removed from the arms deal case, accusing him of lacking independence and impartiality.

The director of public prosecutions in KwaZulu-Natal province says there is not have enough evidence to pursue the case against Mr Downer, though Zuma can do so privately.

The latest development is seen as yet another delaying tactic by Zuma’s legal team to avoid the trial, which is expected to resume in August.

The former president is facing charges of racketeering, corruption, money laundering and fraud for allegedly accepting bribes from French arms company Thales to secure lucrative defence contacts from the South African government.

Mr Zuma has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

If he goes ahead with the private prosecution, it needs to be instituted within three months.

Last September, Zuma was released on medical parole nearly two months into his 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court in a separate case.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: AFP