Overview
- The Pietermaritzburg High Court, in a Thursday ruling by Judge Nkosinathi Chili, ordered the arms deal case to go to trial even if either side files new interlocutory challenges.
- Prosecutor Billy Downer said both sides agreed to a 1 February 2027 start date with availability for two court terms.
- By calling the defense’s approach “Stalingrad” — serial applications meant to delay — the court set a clear directive that the National Prosecuting Authority says could curb such tactics in other cases.
- Zuma and French firm Thales remain charged with fraud, corruption, racketeering and money laundering linked to the 1999 procurement, and prosecutors allege Zuma accepted bribes from Thales to shield the deal from scrutiny.
- The judge rejected claims that the deaths of Thales executives Pierre Moynot and Alain Thétard make a fair trial impossible, and the Jacob Zuma Foundation said Friday it will appeal the order.