Pic: MKP-Facebook
Pietermaritzburg, Tuesday — In a major legal development, the High Court in Pietermaritzburg has dismissed an application for acquittal brought by former South African president Jacob Zuma and French arms company Thales in the long-running arms deal corruption case.
The pair had sought a permanent stay of prosecution and an acquittal of all charges related to the controversial 1999 multi-billion rand arms procurement programme. Their legal teams argued that delays, the death of key witnesses, and alleged political interference rendered a fair trial impossible.
However, the court found that the grounds presented were insufficient to warrant an acquittal at this stage of proceedings. The judge ruled that the trial should proceed and that the issues raised would be better dealt with during the trial itself.
Zuma faces charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering, and racketeering. He is accused of accepting bribes from Thales, which allegedly sought to secure defense contracts through unlawful means. Thales, as Zuma’s co-accused, is charged with corruption and related offences.
The ruling paves the way for the continuation of a case that has spanned more than two decades and faced numerous delays and legal challenges.
The next court appearance is expected later this month, where both parties are anticipated to respond to the latest developments. Zuma’s legal team has indicated they may consider appealing the decision.
@icamagu
