The Pietermaritzburg High Court has ruled that the Zuma Thales arms deal trial will proceed.

Judge Nkosinathi Chili dismissed the application by former president Jacob Zuma (81) and French arms company Thales for leave to appeal an earlier decision that rejected their bid to have all charges dropped. The judgment was handed down on Wednesday, 4 February 2026.

Zuma and Thales had argued that unreasonable delays and the deaths of two key witnesses — former Thales executives Alain Thétard (died September 2022) and Pierre Moynot (died January 2021) — infringed their right to a fair trial.

Long-Running Case Edges Closer to Trial

The charges against Zuma and Thales relate to the controversial 1999 multibillion-rand arms procurement. The state alleges Zuma received a corrupt retainer through his former financial advisor Schabir Shaik, who allegedly used Zuma’s influence to secure business benefits for Thales.

The accused face multiple counts of fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering. Thales pleaded not guilty in May 2021. The case was declared trial-ready three years ago but has been repeatedly delayed, including through 16 postponements cited by Thales as not its fault.

In June 2025, Judge Chili had already found that the court lacked authority to withdraw the charges and was not persuaded the accused would suffer irreparable prejudice. The latest ruling removes another hurdle, allowing the Zuma Thales arms deal trial to advance.

Next Steps and State Position

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has consistently argued that Zuma’s alleged direct involvement in the corruption undermines claims that witness deaths fatally weaken the state’s case or the defence. No immediate trial date has been confirmed following today’s ruling, but the matter is expected to be scheduled for hearing in the coming months.