Proceedings in the corruption case initiated against former South African President, Jacob Zuma who was ousted by his own party, the African National Congress (ANC) in February, has been postponed to 27 July over lack of funds.

Zuma faces a 16-count charge of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to the deal to buy European military hardware worth $2.5 billion to upgrade South Africa’s armed forces after the end of apartheid in 1994.

State prosecutors and Zuma’s lawyers were on Friday expected to argue over a start date for the trial which is widely viewed as a rare example of an African leader being held to account for his actions.

Zuma’s prosecutor had earlier this week turned down a request by the 76-year-old to delay Friday’s hearing pending the outcome of a separate legal challenge over the state paying his legal fees.

The speed with which prosecutors have moved against Zuma is a sign of his waning influence since he was replaced as head of state by Cyril Ramaphosa, his former deputy about four months ago.

Ramaphosa has made the fight against corruption a top priority of his administration as he seeks to woo foreign investment and revamp an ailing economy.

Zuma’s supporters say the former president, whose nine years in power were marked by economic stagnation, is the victim of a politically motivated witch-hunt.