SA former President Jacob Zuma too sick to appear in court – lawyer

| Report Focus News — epa04616266 South African President Jacob Zuma arrives for the opening of parliament to deliver his State Of The Nation Address in Cape Town, South Africa, 12 February 2015. Reports state that South African President Jacob Zuma is expected to be met with hostility during his State of the Nation speech, with questions being raised over the corruption scandal surrounding his 20 million euro private estate, a national electricity crisis and oppostion parties threatening to disrupt his speech. EPA/NIC BOTHMA / POOL

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 the former President 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.