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Zuma’s Arms Deal Trial: Has the Long Legal Battle Finally Reached a Turning Point?

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3 months ago

June 4, 2025

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For more than two decades, former President Jacob Zuma’s arms deal corruption case has been a saga filled with courtroom twists, legal drama, and relentless delay tactics. But on Tuesday, a Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling may have dealt a significant blow to Zuma and the French arms company Thales’ attempts to dodge their day in court.

The Latest Court Decision: No Dismissal This Time

Zuma and Thales asked the court to throw out the case, arguing that the trial should be dropped because the deaths of key witnesses—Thales reps Alain Thétard and Pierre Moynot—had made a fair trial impossible. But Judge Nkosinathi Chili wasn’t convinced.

He ruled the court had no authority to simply withdraw charges and that the case must proceed as originally planned. For the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), this was a clear victory.

NPA: Vindicated and Ready to Move Forward

The NPA spokesperson Advocate Mthunzi Mhaga welcomed the ruling, expressing hope that the judgment would help end years of drawn-out legal battles that have stalled progress. “We feel vindicated because the application had no merit,” Mhaga said, referring to the repeated delays caused by interlocutory applications designed to push the trial further down the road.

The trial is set to move forward with the state’s application scheduled for December 4 to insist the case proceed despite any further appeals Zuma or Thales may lodge.

The Stalingrad Legal Strategy: Delay by Any Means

Observers and legal experts have long accused Zuma of employing what’s called “Stalingrad tactics” an endless cycle of legal maneuvers designed to wear down opponents and delay justice.

Zuma has filed numerous appeals and challenges, including attempts to personally prosecute his own arms deal prosecutor, Billy Downer, and journalist Karyn Maughan. These moves, aimed at removing key figures from the case, have been struck down repeatedly as abuses of the legal process.

Even his effort to privately prosecute them over leaked medical information stemming from a 2021 leak by one of his former military doctors—failed in court.

A Case Decades in the Making

Zuma faces 18 charges, including corruption, racketeering, fraud, and tax evasion, all tied to the controversial 1999 arms procurement deal, which has long been emblematic of South Africa’s post-apartheid political scandals.

Although the trial was declared “trial-ready” three years ago, it has been plagued by Zuma’s relentless attempts to delay proceedings many critics argue this has been a tactic to avoid accountability.

Public Sentiment: Frustration and Calls for Accountability

Across South African social media and public forums, the ruling was met with a mixture of cautious optimism and weary frustration.

Many citizens have expressed exasperation with the slow pace of justice, sharing memes and comments about how the legal system seems to bend to political elites’ tactics. Others have welcomed the court’s firm stance, hoping it signals a turning point for accountability in high-profile corruption cases.

What’s Next?

While Zuma and Thales have indicated they may appeal the decision, the message from the courts and the NPA seems clear: the era of endless delay is coming to an end. The December hearing will be crucial in determining whether the trial can finally proceed without further legal roadblocks.

Why This Matters Beyond Zuma

The arms deal scandal is more than just one man’s trial it’s a symbol of South Africa’s ongoing struggle with corruption and the quest for a justice system that holds all accountable, regardless of power or position.

If the courts uphold this ruling and push the case forward, it could restore some faith in South Africa’s fight against corruption and show that even the most powerful figures can’t escape the long arm of the law forever.