Zuma too sick to appear in court - lawyer

By Will Ross

South Africa's former President Jacob Zuma has failed to appear at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg for the resumption of his corruption trial.

His lawyer has told the judge that Mr Zuma could not attend for medical reasons. He is facing 16 counts of fraud and racketeering related to an arms deal in the 1990s.

Mr Zuma denies the charges, insisting they're politically motivated. The 79 year old is already serving a 15-month sentence for failing to testify in a separate corruption inquiry.

He was recently granted medical parole and is recovering from surgery. His arrest sparked a wave of violence in which more than 300 people were killed.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: Reuters