Jacob Zuma’s lawyer Michael Hulley has confirmed he has written to NPA head Shaun Abrahams to ask that the former President’s corruption prosecution – due to resume on 8 June in the KZN High Court (Durban) – be halted pending the outcome of the pending court battles with the DA and EFF over his legal fees, notes a TimesLIVE report.

Already President Cyril Ramaphosa has made it clear he will not be in Zuma’s corner in his battle with the DA, saying he will leave the matter entirely in the court's hands. TimesLIVE says Ramaphosa has filed a notice to abide by the decision of the High Court when it decides on the DA application to turn the taps off on government’s continued funding of Zuma’s fees.

He has yet to respond to a similar application brought by the EFF to force Zuma and his lawyers to repay the state money already spent on his criminal defence. Ramaphosa has indicated that he will file an ‘explanatory affidavit’ in the DA case.

Hulley had previously warned that these looming court battles could delay his trial‚ potentially for years.

NPA spokesperson Luvuyo Mfaku reportedly confirmed that Zuma’s lawyers had written to Abrahams about their funding issues‚ and that the NDPP was consulting NPA leadership and KZN's DPP‚ Advocate Moipone Noko‚ on the issue. ‘He will respond to the letter once he has finished this consultation‚’ he said. Mfaku declined to say whether Zuma was seeking a stay of his prosecution.

Full TimesLIVE report