Zuma corruption trial postponed after latest no-show

A South African judge has postponed former President Jacob Zuma's corruption trial, pending his appeal to the Supreme Court to have the lead prosecutor removed.

The former president failed to turn up to Monday's hearing at Pietermaritzburg court, saying he was too ill to attend.

Mr Zuma faces multiple charges of fraud, racketeering and money-laundering relating to a $2bn (£1.5bn) arms deal in the 1990s with a French company.

He has denied all the charges, calling them a witch-hunt by political rivals.

The BBC's Shingai Nyoka in Pietermaritzburg says the court will reconvene on 17 May to determine the way forward.

Last July, violent protests broke out in parts of South Africa after Mr Zuma was arrested in a separate case.

Numerous legal challenges have caused long delays and postponements in this highly anticipated trial.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

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