Pietermaritzburg High Court Judge Nkosinathi Chili is expected to deliver judgment on Friday on an application by former president Jacob Zuma and French arms manufacturer Thales for leave to appeal the dismissal of their bid for acquittal.
The pair are seeking to challenge the court’s earlier decision rejecting their application to be discharged from the long-running arms deal case.
Thales, supported by Zuma in the application, has argued that it would be prejudiced in the trial, saying it cannot adequately test the state’s evidence following the deaths of two former employees who were considered key witnesses.
Zuma and the company face multiple charges, including racketeering, corruption, fraud and money laundering, stemming from the controversial multibillion-rand arms procurement deal signed in the late 1990s.
The State alleges that Zuma received payments through his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, in exchange for political protection and benefits for Thales.
Friday’s ruling is expected to determine whether the accused can take the matter to a higher court, potentially adding another chapter to a case that has stretched on for years — and shows little sign of ending quietly.