Publication: Sunday Times
Issued:
Date: 2006-09-10
Reporter: Hogarth
Presiding
over the trial of the conspicuously consuming Jacob Zuma, Judge Qed’usizi
Msimang showed that a little wit goes a long way.
When counsel for arms
company Thint, Nirmal Singh, spoke of the matter becoming increasingly complex, Judge Msimang quipped: “But that’s
what you lawyers love.”
A sharp
tongue
And when Kemp J Kemp, Zuma’s lead counsel, was asked by Judge
Msimang when he would deliver argument on extending an investigation, he
replied: “I’ll deal with that when I deal with
that.”
Judge Msimang’s retort: “Maybe I’m stealing your thunder,
sir. I apologise.”
Closer and closer
Zuma and co-accused
Pierre Moynot of Thint were seated next to each other in the dock.
On
Tuesday, they kept their distance.
On Wednesday they nodded heads and
exchanged pleasantries.
By Thursday they were like
brothers *1.
With acknowledgements to Hogarth and Sunday Times.
*1 We'll Thint did pay Zuma for his
permanent support - it's a legal fact.