Thales and Zuma's appeal dismissed in Pietermaritzburg High Court

The application by French arms company Thales and former President Jacob Zuma to have the cases against them dropped in the Pietermaritzburg High Court has been dismissed.

Judge Nkosinathi Chili ruled on Tuesday, dismissing the application by Thales and Zuma.

The company filed the application on the grounds that it would be unfair to continue the case because two of its key witnesses, Pierre Moynot and Alain Thetard, who were former company executives, have died.

Zuma wanted the Thales case to be dropped, and his own case to be dropped – he said it would be unfair for the state to continue prosecuting him if the Thales cases were dropped.

Thales and Zuma are also facing a series of charges involving corruption, fraud and money laundering, which involve a multi-million-shilling arms tender.

The case is expected to return to court on December 4, 2025, when the lawyers are expected to agree on the dates for the start of the trial.