Zuma's bid to remove Downer from his arms deal corruption trial dismissed again

PIETERMARITZBURG - Former President Jacob Zuma's bid to remove Advocate Billy Downer as lead prosecutor in the arms deal corruption trial has once again been dismissed.

Zuma and French arms company, Thales, are charged with fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering linked to an arms deal in the 1990s.   

The former head of state approached the Pietermaritzburg High Court to have Downer removed, citing bias.

But Judge Nkosinathi Chili on Thursday morning said there were no reasonable prospects to remove Downer from the matter.