Staff Reporter
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed an appeal by former president Jacob Zuma against a decision by the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg that he should stand trial for corruption in the multi-billion-rand arms deal.
In a ruling delivered Friday, the SCA, sitting in Bloemfontein, ruled that Zuma had no reasonable prospects of success.
The court also stated that there were no compelling reasons for it to hear the matter.
Zuma, who is jointly charged with French arms company Thales, is facing one count of racketeering, 12 of fraud, four of corruption and one of money laundering.
He initially faced charges in June 2005 after his former financial advisor Schabir Shaik was convicted on charges linked to the arms deal.
The National Prosecuting Authority also considered the charges in 2007 but they were later withdrawn in 2009 following recorded claims that the charges could be politically motivated.
Zuma has also argued in court that the case against him was a fabrication by his political enemies.
The SCA however said it believes the High Court ruled correctly that Zuma must stand trial.
The corruption case is expected to resume in May.