Judge Koen recuses himself from former President Jacob Zuma’s corruption trial

Judge Piet Koen has recused himself from former President Jacob Zuma‘s corruption trial. He says there may be reasonable apprehension of bias in how the case has been treated. The judge says it is in the interest of justice that he withdraws from the matter. Koen on Monday said the administration of justice, the requirements of the constitution and his conscience dictated that he must recuse himself.

“The views I previously expressed will reasonably be perceived, I believe, to influence findings I will be required to make as to whether Mr Downer should or should not be removed as prosecutor and/or in the future when the issue of whether Mr Zuma has received a constitutionally fair trial will arise for determination.

After the ruling, the parties in the corruption trial made a brief appearance before the new presiding judge. The matter was postponed to 17 April. But it is unlikely to proceed as Jacob Zuma’s legal team having indicated that they plan on filing their new application for Billy Downer’s removal from the case before then.

The result will likely be that the trial proceedings have to be postponed again, pending the outcome the application.