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A South African High Court judge has ruled that the long-running corruption trial of former President Jacob Zuma and French defence firm Thales must proceed, prompting Zuma to announce an appeal. The ruling, delivered on Thursday by Judge Nkosinathi Chili of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg, sets the trial date for 1 February 2027, according to Africa News.

Coverage Comparison

Two outlets, Africa News and AllAfrica, both reported on the ruling, with similar facts and framing. Both noted that Judge Chili described the legal strategy employed by Zuma and Thales as a “Stalingrad defence” — a term for using repeated appeals to delay proceedings. AllAfrica emphasised that this tactic has stalled justice for nearly three decades, while Africa News focused on Zuma's immediate response — instructing his lawyers to appeal.

Both sources reported the accusations against Zuma and Thales: corruption, racketeering, money laundering, and fraud relating to South Africa's 1999 arms deal. AllAfrica added a specific figure — that Zuma is accused of receiving payments totalling R4.1-million between 1995 and 2004 from his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, and Shaik's companies to further Thales' interests. Africa News reported that Zuma is accused of taking bribes totalling about $250,000 from Thales in exchange for protecting the firm from an investigation into the deal. That specific bribery allegation was carried by a single outlet and has not been independently confirmed.

Key Claims

  • The trial must proceed: Judge Nkosinathi Chili ruled that the arms deal corruption case against Zuma and Thales must go ahead on 1 February 2027, as reported by Africa News and AllAfrica.
  • Stalingrad defence: Both sources reported that the judge accused Zuma and Thales of using a “Stalingrad defence” to delay the trial through constant appeals. Chili noted that such tactics benefit those with resources to hire top lawyers, according to AllAfrica.
  • Accusations against Zuma and Thales: Both sources stated they are accused of corruption, racketeering, money laundering, and fraud related to the 1999 arms deal.
  • Specific payment allegations: AllAfrica reported that Zuma is accused of receiving R4.1-million from Schabir Shaik and his companies between 1995 and 2004. Africa News reported a separate allegation of bribes totalling about $250,000 from Thales — a claim that has not been confirmed by other sources.
  • Zuma's response: Africa News reported that the Jacob Zuma Foundation criticised the ruling as “totally erroneous” and accused the court of “gross misdirection in both fact and law.”

Perspectives

Zuma's legal team has stated their intention to appeal, per Africa News. The Jacob Zuma Foundation, in a statement cited by Africa News, called the ruling “totally erroneous,” asserting that the court misdirected itself. Their position reflects a continued challenge to the court's decision.

The court's position, as articulated by Judge Chili and reported by both outlets, is that justice demands the case proceed without further delay. The judge warned that without intervention, there is a likelihood of “grave injustice” and the administration of justice being brought into disrepute.

The trial date of 1 February 2027 is notable — it is far in the future, and Zuma, who is 84, has previously avoided prosecution for years. His previous jail sentence in 2021 for contempt of court was reported by Africa News, though the connection to the current case is not direct.

The 1999 arms deal involved the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats, and other military equipment from five European defence companies, including Thales, according to Africa News. Zuma was deputy president at the time. He served as president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, when the African National Congress forced him out amid graft scandals, as reported by Africa News.