Former President Jacob Zuma plans to apply for leave to appeal a High Court ruling that has set a trial date for the long-running arms deal case.

As previously reported by AFP, the Pietermaritzburg High Court has ruled that a long-delayed corruption case against former president Zuma and French defence firm Thales can proceed, dismissing attempts to further postpone the trial.

High Court Judge Nkosinathi Chili, sitting in Pietermaritzburg, ruled on Thursday that the “interests of justice” required the case to move forward after years of procedural delays.

In 1999, the South African government finalised a controversial R30 billion military modernisation package known as the Arms Deal, purchasing fighter jets, warships and submarines from European manufacturers.

The procurement quickly sparked a major corruption scandal when whistleblowers alleged that international contractors paid extensive bribes and kickbacks to senior politicians.

At the centre of the state’s criminal case is Zuma, who faces 18 counts of fraud, corruption and racketeering.

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The state alleges that Zuma, while serving as deputy president, accepted bribes from Thales to protect the firm from official investigations.

For nearly two decades, Zuma’s legal team successfully delayed prosecution by employing what has become known as a “Stalingrad defence”.

This strategy involves litigating every procedural technicality, interlocutory application and appeal in an effort to delay the trial.

The persistent delays finally prompted the Pietermaritzburg High Court to intervene, setting a 2027 trial date intended to prevent further delays and move the case toward conclusion.

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