South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma was admitted to hospital on Friday less than a week before the resumption of his scheduled graft trial on August 10.

Mr. Zuma, 79, is serving a 15-month jail term for failing to appear at the corruption inquiry led by deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo in February.

The Department of Correctional Services in a statement said “former president Jacob Zuma has been admitted to an outside hospital for medical observation.

While, no reason was given for his hospitalization besides the fact that it was prompted by a routine observation, the former head of state was reportedly in Cuba last year to receive treatment for an undisclosed illness.

However, the hearing of August 10 will include a plea to drop 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering against the Zuma, related to the 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and equipment from five European arms firms when he was deputy president.

Zuma is accused of taking bribes from one of the firms, French defence giant Thales, which has also been charged with corruption and money laundering.

Legal proceedings against the ousted leader have been repeatedly postponed for more than a decade, sparking accusations of delaying tactics.