The former president appeared in Durban High Court on 6 April 2018 for fraud, corruption and money laundering where his case had been postponed to 8 June 2018.
Former South African president, Jacob Zuma is facing 16 charges relating to payments he allegedly received from French arms company, Thint. The company is facing two charges.
Thousands of supporters gathered outside the Durban High Court where Zuma made his court appearance. Many of them were wearing African National Congress (ANC) regalia despite a directive from the party not to do so.
A night vigil was held the previous night by Zuma’s supporters. The vigil culminated in a march from the King DiniZulu gardens to the High Court on the morning of Zuma’s court appearance.
Speaking to SABC on 5 April 2018, Zuma’s son, Edward Zuma said that supporters had organised a night vigil for the former president because they believe in his innocence.
“It’s a gathering of South Africans who correctly believe in the innocence of the former president. Some of them are ANC members and some of them are not ANC members,” he said.
Speaking to Political Analysis South Africa on 5 April 2018, Black First Land First (BLF) leader, Andile Mngxitama says that they have a responsibility to support the former president.
“We have a responsibility to support President Zuma because defending Zuma is defending Radical Economic Transformation, he said.”
