The former President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma finally gets to have his day in court.

By Ratidzo Zinyama| After spending the last 9 years in numerous courts and a reported R15 million of public funds fighting against being prosecuted, the proverbial cat with nine lives appears to have run out of lives. South Africa’s Directorate for Priority Crime investigations Unit, the Hawks, announced on Monday that summons had been served on the former head of state.

Mr Jacob Zuma is expected to appear in the Durban High Court on April 6.

The crime fighting unit had reportedly been investigating allegations that Mr Zuma received a R1 million bribe from an abalone dealer in exchange for not firing the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries,, Senzeni Zokwana. Also implicated is Cosatu President Sdumo Dlamini who together with the Minister allegedly facilitated the meeting between Mr Zuma and the abalone dealer pocketing over R300 000 in kickbacks.

Mr Sdumo Dhlamini has denied the allegations.

The die was cast for Mr Zuma when the National Prosecuting Authority decided to reinstate the charges against him more than ten years after being served with the original indictment. The slew of charges included corruption, money laundering, fraud and racketeering stemming from a bribe he allegedly received from French arms company Thales to influence the awarding of contracts in South Africa’s multi-billion-rand arms deal. Just before Mr Zuma was sworn in for his first term as President the charges were withdrawn after being declared unlawful on procedural grounds .

The Supreme Court ruled last year that the 2009 decision to drop the charges was unlawful and irrational bringing to an end the nine year battle by opposition party the Democratic Alliance to have the charges reinstated.

It is understood summons have been served on both Mr Zuma and the French arms company Thales.

Speaking to the media Mr Zuma’s lawyer Michael Bullet said they were challenging the decision by the NPA to reinstate the charges against his client.

“I confirm that the summons has been received and that we are preparing an application to review the NDPP’s (National Director of Public Prosecutions’) decision to prosecute (Zuma),” Hulley said, without providing any further explanation.

The controversial former head of state was dogged by scandal since he took office in 2009 which weighed on growth and investor confidence, reversing many of the gains South Africa made since attaining independence. – IOL/Additional Reporting