The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has confirmed that it has received an application filed by French arms company, Thales, in a bid to have the corruption charges against it dropped.
Thales is the second accused in the case involving former President, Jacob Zuma.
The two are facing charges of corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering.
In its application, Thale argued that the lengthy delays that have resulted in irremediable infringement of its constitutional rights to a fair trial,” as the trial has been posted 16 times.
In addition, two of the company’s key witnesses have since died.
NPA National spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga said they will counter the application.
“The NPA will vigorously argue in opposition of the application as we believe it has no merit and stands to be dismissed,” said Mhaga.
The long-standing case dates to the late 1990s and has met numerous delays over the years.
The latest application by Thales, coincides with the judgement delivered by the Constitutional Court which dismissed Zuma’s application for leave to appeal his private prosecution bid against President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The ConCourt ruled that “there is no adequate explanation for the applicant’s delay in bringing the application for leave to appeal and there are no reasonable prospects of success on the merits of the application for leave to appeal. Condonation must be refused and, as a consequence, the application for leave to appeal fails. The Court has decided not to award costs.”
Zuma’s arms deal trial is set to resume on 14 April 2025.
Meanwhile, Zuma’s is on Thursday challenging the judgment of the Durban High Court, which refused to grant an order removing Prosecutor Billy Downer from the case.
