Court denies bid to drop Thales, Zuma graft charges
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has denied an application by French arms company Thales and Jacob Zuma to have charges dropped in their corruption case.
Lawyers representing Thales brought the application earlier this year.
The former president then brought a conditional application, telling the court that if the company is acquitted, so should he.
They argued that due to the deaths of key witnesses in the case, namely the company's director Pierre Moynot and former head Alain Thetard, they will not be able to introduce or challenge evidence, infringing on their client's right to a fair trial.
However, Judge Nkosinathi Chili disagreed with their arguments when delivering his ruling on Tuesday.
" I am not persuaded that it was sufficiently established that Thales will suffer irredeemable, irreparable, or insurmountable prejudice if the State were allowed to continue with the prosecution in the face of the death of Thetard and Moynot.
"The court ceased with the matter has a duty to consider all the evidence before it, including the non-availability of defence witnesses, before returning a verdict.
"I'm not persuaded either that Mr Zuma's right to have a fair trial would be prejudiced by the non-availability of Mr Thetard and Mr Moynot."
The State argued that there were other available witnesses including Scabir Sheik.
The State has previously alleged that through the financial adviser and businessman, Thales paid Zuma bribes to secure the arms deal contract.
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