Jacob Zuma’s refusal to testify against corruption charges during his decade “tenure” (2009-2019) as president of South Africa led to the ordering of the initial 15-month term.
In July, when Zuma handed himself peacefully to the police, it was the beginning of a bloody unrest for the country. His supporters protested — demanding for his release, but things turned out to be chaotic. The riot escalated into looting of businesses, pulling and dragging the South African economy in mud amid the Covid-19 crisis.
“It’s really sad. These political situations cost us a lot and it doesn’t represent the country well,” Tshebang Lobete, a South African tourism specialist, told us as of that period. He said he was safe and sound at the Game Reserve.
The situation led to the death of about 337 people with about R5bn billion ($348m) in damages according to the Trade Minister, Ebrahim Patel.
As Zuma’s case resumes in court, Judge Piet Koen said on Wednesday that the hearing will “proceed in an open court” on August 10.
Hope for South Africa
As we discussed further with Lobete, he was completely hopeful and optimistic for his country.
“The storm will pass and reasons to celebrate SA will be there,” he said.
