The presiding judge in the corruption trial of former President Jacob Zuma has recused himself from the matter, as the case continues in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in KwaZulu-Natal. In adjourning the trial last October, Judge Piet Koen asked the State and the Defense to make written submissions on whether he should recuse himself as the trial judge. This came as Zuma, objected against Advocate Billy Downer leading the prosecution. Koen said while the decision was hard to make, his intention was to preserve the integrity of the court process beyond criticism.