Durban: Only when former deputy president Jacob Zuma's corruption trial kicks off on July 31 will the defence teams and National Prosecuting Authority know who the presiding judge is.

KwaZulu-Natal Judge President Vuka Tshabalala said he would not disclose the name of the judge before the case began.

"You will see when he presides."

Justice Tshabalala gave no hint of whether he had appointed anyone, but media in the province are tipping Justice Herbert Msimang to the hear the case in Pietermaritzburg.

Billy Downer, Anton Steynberg and George Baloyi are to head the prosecution.

Kessie Naidu, SC, is representing the French arms manufacturer and supplier Thint and Kemp J Kemp, SC, is acting for represent Zuma.

Questions arise whether the trial will proceed as businessman Schabir Shaik, found by the high court here to have had a "generally corrupt relationship" with Zuma, is appealing his convictions for fraud and corruption. The appeal is to be heard later this year, on a date yet to be set.

Downer said: "There are a whole lot of legal processes that need to be followed before the trial begins."

Controversial search and seizure raids on homes and offices of Thint representatives, Zuma, his benefactors and his lawyers could mean that the trial is postponed.

Two courts have ruled that the raids were unlawful and the matter is up for appeal. Until this matter is resolved the state will not know whether the papers seized may be used in the trial.

Hulley said talks were being held with the NPA in a bid resolve the question of the searches, but he would not be drawn on the details.

The defence teams have been given only a provisional indictment. Downer could not say when they would be handed the formal indictment.

Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley, said the indictment was being treated as final and changes would be dealt with as they arose.

Last month the high court here dismissed a bid by Thint to be given further details of the corruption charges it is to face with Zuma.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and the Cape Times.