Former President Jacob Zuma has expressed confidence that the long-standing corruption charges against him will soon be dismissed. Speaking to supporters outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Thursday, Zuma reiterated his stance that he had no involvement in the contentious multibillion-rand arms deal, which he says was concluded during the leadership of former President Nelson Mandela and then-Deputy President Thabo Mbeki.
“When the arms procurement began, I was still serving in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government,” said Zuma. “I wasn’t part of national discussions or decisions. By the time I joined national government, key decisions regarding suppliers and costs had already been taken.”
Zuma’s remarks came after the court dismissed yet another attempt to have lead prosecutor Billy Downer removed from the case.
Zuma, along with French arms manufacturer Thales, faces corruption, fraud, and racketeering charges stemming from allegations that bribes were paid via Zuma’s former financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, to secure contracts during the arms deal of the late 1990s.
Both Zuma and Thales have now applied for the case to be permanently stayed, citing the deaths of two key witnesses: Thales’ former director Pierre Moynot and ex-head Alain Thetard. Legal representatives argue that without their testimonies, neither accused can properly mount a defense, which would undermine their right to a fair trial.
Zuma has conditionally supported Thales’ application, stating that if the charges against the company are dropped, then he too should be acquitted.
State Prosecutor Andrew Breitenbach, however, maintained that Thales could still access crucial information through Shaik. Thales’ legal representative, Advocate Barry Roux, dismissed the suggestion, citing Shaik’s prior conviction and credibility issues. “He’s been found unreliable by every court that assessed him,” Roux argued. “If the State wants his testimony, why haven’t they called him?”
Breitenbach acknowledged the challenges of relying on Shaik but added, “It’s not uncommon for individuals previously accused of crimes to eventually tell the truth, particularly once they are no longer at legal risk.”
The matter has been postponed to May for further deliberations.