Former South African president, Jacob Zuma appeared in a relaxed mood and smiled broadly during his appearance in court to face money-laundering and fraud charges linked to a multibillion-dollar arms deal.


The 75-year-old who is facing 16 charges stemming from the arms deal almost a decade ago made the court appearance at the High Court in Durban, a city on the south-east coast, this morning.

The charges were initially dropped in 2009, but National Prosecuting Authority head Shaun Abrahams announced last month that the former president who was ousted as head of state in February will be prosecuted.


According to ewn.co.za, the matter was heard in less than half an hour in the Durban High Court, and was provisionally adjourned to 8 June.


Explaining the adjournment, State prosecutor Billy Downer said:


"The purpose of the adjournment is two-fold. Firstly, in respect of accused number one, Mr Zuma, we've been informed by our learned friends for Mr Zuma the he wishes to bring a review application on the decision to prosecute him again and in that respect we've been informed that they hope to finalise the review papers by the middle of May."