The High Court in Johannesburg will on Thursday hear a bid by Jackie Selebi's defence to have Judge Meyer Joffe recuse himself from the former top cop's corruption trial.

The State had indicated it would oppose the bid, which the defence was basing on claims that Joffe allegedly showed bias against Selebi.

The recusal application last week brought proceedings to a temporary halt.

If the recusal were to be granted, the trial, which got underway after years of postponements, would start all over again in front of a new judge.

Selebi is facing a charge of corruption and another of defeating the ends of justice in connection with at least R1.2-million he allegedly received from convicted drug trafficker Glenn Agliotti and others in return for favours.