South Africa court resumes ex-leader Zuma's protracted arms deal trial

FILE PHOTO: Former South African President Jacob Zuma, who is facing fraud and corruption charges, sings after his appearance in the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, May 26, 2021. REUTERS/Rogan Ward/File Photo/File Photo

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - A South African court on Tuesday resumed a trial that has dragged out for years over a $2 billion arms deal involving ex-president Jacob Zuma, whose legal team was expected to make a plea to remove the prosecutor.

The trial over the 1990s deal was meant to start in May, after being been repeatedly stalled by legal arguments, but was delayed again by Zuma's request to replace lead prosecutor Billy Downer, whom he accuses of bias.