The High Court in Pietermaritzburg has dismissed their applications to have longstanding corruption charges against them struck from the roll.

Zuma and Thales are both accused in connection with SA’s controversial 1999 arms procurement deal, a multi-billion-rand agreement that has cast a long shadow over the country’s post-apartheid political landscape. Charges against them include corruption, money laundering, and racketeering.

Thales had contended that the passing of two former executives based in SA, Pierre Moynot and Alain Théthard, left the company unable to adequately challenge the state's evidence. Zuma made a similar claim, arguing that the absence of the two men would compromise his right to a fair trial.

But Judge Nkosinathi Chili dismissed these assertions, finding that the legal threshold for permanently halting the prosecution had not been met.

“Based on the evidence before the court, I am not persuaded that Thales will suffer irreparable or insurmountable prejudice if the prosecution proceeds, despite the deaths of Moynot and Théthard,” he said in his ruling.

The judge also ruled out the notion that Zuma’s constitutional rights would be infringed, stating: “I am not persuaded either that Mr Zuma’s right to a fair trial will be prejudiced by the non-availability of the witnesses.”

Citing Section 172(1)(b) of the Constitution, JChili concluded that there was no basis to grant either application. “The application by both Zuma and Thales is dismissed,” he said.

--ChannelAfrica--