Zuma’s defence wants rape charges dropped

The defence in the Jacob Zuma rape trial will this morning continue with its application to have the case withdrawn under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Zuma’s lawyer Kemp J Kemp started arguing on Monday afternoon that the court should ask itself whether there is enough evidence to convict. Earlier Monday Judge Willem van der Merwe turned down the application by three non-governmental organisations to testify as Friends of the Court. The judge said he could not see how the three organisations could assist him in reaching a decision based on the facts of the case. The State and Zuma's legal team opposed the application.