Thokozile Mnguni
The long-running corruption case against former president Jacob Zuma is set to proceed on 1 February 2027, after the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled in favour of the State and dismissed an attempt to further delay the matter.
Judge Nkosinathi Chili found that repeated procedural and interlocutory applications could not be used to indefinitely postpone a criminal trial that had already faced years of delays. The court stressed that such legal challenges should not obstruct the main proceedings from going ahead.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the ruling, arguing that continued delays were not in the interests of justice given the extensive history of postponements in the case.
NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the ruling confirms the matter must proceed without further unnecessary delay. He said: “The ruling confirms that the arms deal case involving Jacob Zuma and French arms company Thales must proceed without any further unnecessary delay.”
The case relates to South Africa’s multi-billion-rand arms deal concluded in the late 1990s. Prosecutors allege Zuma received financial benefits in exchange for political influence linked to the deal.
He faces charges including corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering.
Zuma has consistently denied the allegations, maintaining that the prosecution is politically motivated. His legal team has repeatedly challenged aspects of the case, contributing to years of delays before it could reach trial.
With the latest ruling, the High Court has effectively removed another barrier to the long-delayed proceedings, clearing the way for the matter to be heard on its merits.