Thales wants charges dropped
PIETERMARITZBURG - Former president Jacob Zuma has lost another round in his fight to have prosecutor Billy Downer removed from his arms deal corruption trial.
Judge Nkosinathi Chili has denied Zuma leave to take the matter to the Supreme Court of Appeals.
Zuma can petition the higher court directly, something his legal team said it would do.
READ: Zuma corruption trial | Judge dismisses bid to remove Downer from case
Judge Chili also heard an application from Zuma's co-accused, French arms firm Thales, to have the charges against them dropped.
The arms dealers says two former employees who were important to their case have died. They are Pierre Moynot and Alain Thetard. As a result, Thales says it is stranded without witnesses.
Zuma's legal team supports the application. And if Thales is successful, lawyers want charges against Zuma dropped.
READ: Jacob Zuma | The highs and lows of the 'political chess master'
The state rejects the argument and has asked the judge to do the same.
It says Zuma and Thales delayed the trial, and there are other witnesses that can help build a case against the two accused. Judgment on the application is expected at the beginning of June.
By: Aakash Bramdeo
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