On Monday, a case where former president Jacob Zuma was attempting to have advocate Billy Downer removed from his position as lead prosecutor in his arms-deal corruption prosecution was abruptly taken off the calendar.

On Tuesday, he was due back in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.

In the former president’s corruption trial, the state and defense will meet virtually on Tuesday to discuss case management.

What was reported previously?

Zuma alleges that Downer improperly disclosed to the media his personal medical records.

Judge Piet Koen already withdrew from the protracted trial.

Jacob Zuma is set free in two hours

After being released from prison on a “special remission” given by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zuma appears in court just a few days later.

He was released in just over an hour, according to Makgothi Thobakgale, national commissioner of Correctional Services, as part of a “remission process” meant to reduce prison congestion.

Zuma desires to appear in court

When he was admitted into the system, he went through administrative procedures… At a news conference in Pretoria, Thobakgale said that after that, he was released.

What led to Zuma’s arrest?

He was given a 15-month prison term for contempt of court for refusing to appear before the Zondo Commission.

After two months, he was given medical parole; however, a judicial ruling backed by the constitutional court declared that decision to be unlawful.

This week, the head of the prisons department in South Africa was supposed to make his decision to go back to jail public.

That choice appears to have been moot following the remission on Friday.

Will he be sent back to prison? DCS will determine Zuma’s fate.

Over 300 people were killed in violent riots after Zuma was imprisoned in 2021, and there were worries that if he was released, there would be further turmoil.