This archive report was first published on 29 November 2019.
On November 29, 2019, a South African court dealt a significant blow to former President Jacob Zuma's efforts to evade a corruption trial.
A High Court in Pietermaritzburg ruled that Zuma's leave to appeal against the trial was dismissed with costs, effectively paving the way for the trial to proceed.
At the center of the trial are allegations that Zuma took bribes worth four million rand related to a $3.4 billion arms deal in 1999, when he was deputy president.
As part of the deal, South Africa purchased fighter jets, patrol boats, and military equipment from French defense company Thales.
Both Zuma and Thales deny the charges, which include 16 counts of fraud, graft, and racketeering.
While Zuma and Thales have the option to appeal to the Supreme Court, legal analyst Mphulelelo Zikalala suggests that their prospects of success are slim.
