Zuma, Thales lose bid to have arms deal charges against them dropped

PIETERMARITZBURG - Former President Jacob Zuma has lost his bid to have charges related to the controversial arms deal filed against him dropped.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court on Tuesday dismissed an application brought by French arms company, Thales, and Zuma, to be acquitted of the criminal charges.

Thales filed the application in May.

It argued that since two of its key witnesses had died, it would not be guaranteed a fair trial. 

Zuma joined Thales in its bid to have the charges dropped.

The Pietermaritzburg High Court found that the former president and Thales did have a case to answer to.

They face charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering linked to the 1999 arms deal.

Judge Nkosinathi Chili delivered his judgment on Tuesday.

"There is no justification for the grant of order sought by Mr Zuma in the alternative in accordance with section 172 1 (b) of the Constitution. I therefore make the following order - the application by both Mr Zuma and Thales is dismissed."

Chili added that Zuma's right to a fair trial would not be affected by the absence of Thales' two key witnesses.