Zuma Arms Deal Trial Update: Thales Case, Corruption, Justice

Zuma Arms Deal Trial, Thales Case, Delays, Corruption, Justice

The Pietermaritzburg High Court is the epicentre of South Africa’s longest-running legal drama. Zuma arms deal trial, former President Jacob Zuma and French arms giant Thales face off against the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

This is in a corruption case that has spanned two decades. There are fresh applications, appeals, and accusations of constitutional violations. The trial is now set to start in April 2025. It remains ensnared in a web of delays. Critics argue that these delays epitomise Zuma’s infamous “Stalingrad strategy.”.

Thales’ Hail Mary: Application to Drop Charges

In a dramatic twist on February 6, 2025, Thales filed an urgent application to have all charges against it dismissed. They cited “irremediable infringement” of its right to a fair trial. This was due to the deaths of two key witnesses and systemic delays. The company’s legal team argued that the unavailability of former directors Alain Thetard and Pierre Moynot has crippled its defence. The two men died in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Both men were key to Thales’ claim. They stated that the company did not know about alleged bribes paid to Zuma. These bribes were allegedly handled through his financial advisor, Schabir Shaik 24.

“The importance of Thetard and Moynot can’t be overstated. They were the only individuals who testified to Thales’ innocence. The application alleged that the NPA’s delays had made a fair trial impossible. The NPA swiftly rebuffed the move. Spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga vowed to “vigorously oppose” what he called a “meritless” bid to evade accountability.

The importance of Thetard and Moynot can’t be overstated. They were the only individuals who testified to Thales’ innocence.

Legal experts speculate that Thales’ application—if successful—indirectly benefits Zuma by weakening the state’s case. Yet the NPA is firm that the trial will continue. They assert that the deaths of witnesses do not absolve either accused of their alleged crimes.

Zuma’s Relentless Legal Onslaught

Zuma continues his crusade to remove lead prosecutor Billy Downer, SC. He accuses Downer of bias and of leaking confidential medical records to the media. This marks his third try to disqualify Downer after failed bids in 2021 and 2023. In March 2024, Judge Nkosinathi Chilli dismissed Zuma’s refusal application. He found no evidence that Downer’s involvement prejudiced the former president’s right to a fair trial.

Undeterred, Zuma’s legal team is led by Advocate Dali Mpofu. They have signaled plans to appeal Chilli’s ruling. The NPA decries this as another “abuse of court process” designed to stall proceedings. Mpofu has also hinted at summoning Downer as a witness. Legal analysts describe this tactic as a bid to further complicate the trial.

The Constitutional Court has already dealt Zuma a blow. It invalidated his private prosecution of Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan. The court labeled it part of a “Stalingrad strategy” to avoid accountability. Yet, Zuma’s defiance persists, echoing his decades-long resistance to what he calls a “politically motivated witch hunt.”.

The Stalingrad Strategy: A Timeline of Delays

The case’s history reads like a legal thriller, with twists that have kept South Africans on edge since 2005:

1. 2005–2009: Initial charges are filed, struck from the roll, reinstated, and withdrawn amid political interference allegations.
2. 2017–2018: The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) overturns the NPA’s decision to drop charges, reigniting the case.
3. 2021–2024: Zuma’s hospitalisation, incarceration for contempt of court, and repeated interlocutory appeals delay the trial’s start.
4. April 2025: The trial is finally scheduled to start after Judge Thoba Poyo-Dlwati allocated a six-month window for hearings.

The NPA has lambasted Zuma’s tactics, accusing him of exploiting legal loopholes to “delay justice indefinitely.”. State prosecutors estimate that over 15 years of delays are directly due to Zuma’s applications. Courts have universally dismissed these applications as frivolous.

The Heart of the Matter: Allegations and Implications

At its core, the case revolves around South Africa’s contentious 1999 Arms Deal. This was a R70 billion procurement package. Thales secured a lucrative contract to supply combat systems through this deal. The state alleges that Zuma, then deputy president, accepted 783 payments totalling R1.2 million from Shaik—later convicted of corruption—and a R500,000 annual bribe from Thales for “political protection.”.

The constitutional right to a fair trial must be balanced against the public’s right to justice. Courts can’t allow procedural warfare to trump substantive truth.

Thales’ alleged complicity hinges on a since-infamous encrypted fax. The fax was purportedly sent by Thetard in 2000. It outlined a R500,000 annual bribe for Zuma. Both accused deny wrongdoing, with Thales insisting the payment was a legitimate consulting fee.

The trial’s outcome carries profound implications for South Africa’s fight against corruption. A conviction would mark a rare victory for the NPA in holding high-ranking officials accountable. Conversely, an acquittal—or further delays—embolden other implicated figures and erode public trust in the judiciary.

Public Sentiment and Political Repercussions

The case has polarised the nation. Zuma’s supporters, predominantly within the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, frame the trial as a “persecution” of a liberation stalwart. Meanwhile, civil society groups like OUTA and Accountability Now argue that justice delayed is justice denied.

Political analysts warn about the trial’s timing. It coincides with the 2024 general elections and Zuma’s resurgence as MK Party leader. This situation will inflame tensions. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government, already grappling with coalition dynamics, faces pressure to guarantee the trial proceeds.

What Next? A Trial Date in Peril

Despite the April 2025 trial date, scepticism abounds. Thales’ application to drop charges and Zuma’s pending appeal against Downer’s retention threaten to derail proceedings yet again. Legal scholar Prof. Pierre de Vos notes, “The constitutional right to a fair trial must be balanced against the public’s right to justice. Courts can’t allow procedural warfare to trump substantive truth.”

Judge Chilli is expected to rule on Thales’ application by mid-February. The NPA is prepared to escalate the matter to the SCA if necessary. For now, South Africans wait—wondering whether 2025 will finally close this chapter or merely add another layer to the saga.

The Mr. Jacob Zuma-Thales arms deal trial(Zuma Arms Deal Trial) is more than a legal battle. It serves as a litmus test for South Africa’s democracy. The NPA fights to uphold the rule of law. The accused deploy every tactic to evade accountability. The nation watches, hoping that justice, though delayed, will not be denied.

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Forever Yena will continue to track this landmark case. Follow our live updates online and on WhatsApp.