Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma · public corruption · criminal prosecution · defence procurement
Has Jacob Zuma been tried on the arms deal corruption charges?
No verdict has been reached. As of 30 October 2026, Jacob Zuma and the French company Thales are awaiting trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering linked to the 1999 arms procurement, with the trial set to start on 1 February 2027. Both have pleaded not guilty. On 14 May 2026 the court ordered that the trial proceed irrespective of interlocutory applications, and the National Prosecuting Authority said in October 2026 that no application for leave to appeal that order had been lodged.
Last verified 30 October 2026. South Africa
The record at a glance
| What was alleged? | The National Prosecuting Authority alleges that Zuma received about R4.1 million between 1995 and 2004 from Schabir Shaik and Shaik's companies to further the interests of Thales in connection with the arms procurement.1 |
|---|---|
| Who made the claim? | National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa, 14 May 2026 |
| How did Jacob Zuma respond? | Zuma has pleaded not guilty and denies wrongdoing. His position is that the charges are politically motivated, and he has said he wants his day in court. He and Thales sought a permanent stay of prosecution, arguing that delays and the deaths of witnesses made a fair trial impossible. After the May 2026 ruling the Jacob Zuma Foundation called the judgment erroneous and said it saw prospects of reversal on appeal.1,2,3 (the subject's position) |
| Was there an official finding? | Zuma and Thales are charged with corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering, and both have pleaded not guilty, according to consistent reporting of the court record.2,10 On 14 May 2026 the Pietermaritzburg High Court delivered judgment in S v Zuma and Another (Leave to Appeal), [2026] ZAKZPHC 54, on the State's application to end delays. Its order that the trial proceed and begin on 1 February 2027 is as reported by EWN, Daily Maverick and AP, because the full order text was not retrieved.1,4,7,8,10 On 4 February 2026 the same court delivered a ruling on leave to appeal in Thales SA (Pty) Ltd and Another v S, [2026] ZAKZPHC 8. Reporting states that leave to appeal was refused.4,5,6 |
| Was liability determined? | Not yet. Proceedings are pending. No trial verdict. The accused have pleaded not guilty and the trial is scheduled to begin on 1 February 2027. Zuma is presumed innocent of these charges.2,9 |
| What changed later? | As of 30 October 2026 the arms deal trial of Zuma and Thales has not begun and is set to start on 1 February 2027 in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.2,9 |
| When was this checked? | 30 October 2026 |
What was alleged?
The National Prosecuting Authority alleges that Zuma received about R4.1 million between 1995 and 2004 from Schabir Shaik and Shaik's companies to further the interests of Thales in connection with the arms procurement.1
Made by National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa on 14 May 2026.
What did Jacob Zuma say?
Zuma has pleaded not guilty and denies wrongdoing. His position is that the charges are politically motivated, and he has said he wants his day in court. He and Thales sought a permanent stay of prosecution, arguing that delays and the deaths of witnesses made a fair trial impossible. After the May 2026 ruling the Jacob Zuma Foundation called the judgment erroneous and said it saw prospects of reversal on appeal.1,2,3
"totally erroneous"
Jacob Zuma Foundation, statement on the 14 May 2026 judgment (reported by EWN), 14 May 2026. This is the subject's own account, not a finding.
What do independent records show?
Thales SA (Pty) Ltd and Another v S (Leave to Appeal) (CCD30/2018) [2026] ZAKZPHC 8, delivered 4 February 2026
High Court of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Division, Pietermaritzburg, 4 February 2026
Dismissed the application by Zuma and Thales for leave to appeal the court's earlier refusal of a permanent stay of prosecution, finding no reasonable prospect that another court would decide differently.4,5,6
S v Zuma and Another (Leave to Appeal) (CCD30/2018) [2026] ZAKZPHC 54, delivered 14 May 2026
High Court of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal Division, Pietermaritzburg, 14 May 2026
Decided the State's application, brought alongside the defence applications for leave to appeal the dismissal of their applications to quash the charges under section 6 of the Criminal Procedure Act. The State asked that the trial start on the soonest date and that the dismissal order not be suspended by any appeal. As reported, the court directed that the trial proceed irrespective of interlocutory applications and fixed 1 February 2027 for its start.4,7,8,9,10
Statement by NPA spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago (reported)
National Prosecuting Authority, 14 October 2026
Said neither Zuma nor Thales had applied for leave to appeal the 14 May 2026 ruling and that the order that the trial commence on 1 February 2027 was final.2
What was established?
- Zuma and Thales are charged with corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering, and both have pleaded not guilty, according to consistent reporting of the court record.2,10
- On 14 May 2026 the Pietermaritzburg High Court delivered judgment in S v Zuma and Another (Leave to Appeal), [2026] ZAKZPHC 54, on the State's application to end delays. Its order that the trial proceed and begin on 1 February 2027 is as reported by EWN, Daily Maverick and AP, because the full order text was not retrieved.1,4,7,8,10
- On 4 February 2026 the same court delivered a ruling on leave to appeal in Thales SA (Pty) Ltd and Another v S, [2026] ZAKZPHC 8. Reporting states that leave to appeal was refused.4,5,6
Distinctions that matter here
- A criminal charge is an allegation. No court has ruled on Zuma's guilt on the arms deal charges.
- Schabir Shaik's own earlier conviction is a separate case and is not a finding against Zuma.
Was liability determined?
Not yet. Proceedings are pending. No trial verdict. The accused have pleaded not guilty and the trial is scheduled to begin on 1 February 2027. Zuma is presumed innocent of these charges.2,9
What remains unresolved?
- Whether the trial will start on 1 February 2027 as scheduled.
- In May 2026 Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said two appeals were pending before the Supreme Court, one on the recusal of the prosecutor and one by Thales relating to the deaths of witnesses (reported by The Citizen). Their status was not confirmed in any court record. The 14 May 2026 order provides that the trial proceeds irrespective of interlocutory applications.
- The court's eventual findings on the charges.
What is the current status?
As of 30 October 2026 the arms deal trial of Zuma and Thales has not begun and is set to start on 1 February 2027 in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.2,9
As of 30 October 2026. Next known step: 1 February 2027 trial due to begin in the Pietermaritzburg High Court.
Timeline
- High Court dismisses Zuma and Thales application for leave to appeal the refusal to end the prosecution.4,5,6
- High Court orders the trial to proceed without further interlocutory delay and sets a 1 February 2027 start.4,7,8,9
- Jacob Zuma Foundation says the judgment is erroneous and that it sees prospects of having it overturned on appeal.3,11
- NPA says no application for leave to appeal was lodged and the trial order is final.2
Sources
- Daily Maverick, Judge condemns Zuma's 'Stalingrad defence' as arms deal trial date is finally set, 14 May 2026 Independent reporting
- The Citizen, Zuma drops latest appeals, set to face long-delayed arms deal corruption trial in 2027, 14 October 2026 Independent reporting
- EWN, Zuma to appeal judgment ordering arms deal trial to go ahead, 14 May 2026 Independent reporting
- Southern African Legal Information Institute (SAFLII), 2026 South Africa: Kwazulu-Natal High Court, Pietermaritzburg Decisions (index listing [2026] ZAKZPHC 8 and [2026] ZAKZPHC 54) · document record Court, legislation, official register or regulator record
- The Citizen, Zuma and Thales lose appeal bid to halt arms deal corruption trial, 4 February 2026 Independent reporting
- EWN, Zuma and Thales face new blow as court dismisses arms deal appeal bid, 4 February 2026 Independent reporting
- Polity (Creamer Media), reproducing the High Court judgment, S v Zuma and Another (Leave to Appeal) (CCD30/2018) [2026] ZAKZPHC 54 (judgment excerpt), 15 May 2026 · document record Court, legislation, official register or regulator record
- EWN, Trial against Zuma, Thales set down for next year, 14 May 2026 Independent reporting
- Briefly News, High Court Orders Zuma And Thales Arms Deal Case To Proceed Even If Further Appeals Are Filed, 14 May 2026 Independent reporting
- Africanews, Ex-South African president to appeal order to proceed with graft trial (Associated Press), 15 May 2026 Independent reporting
- The Citizen, Zuma escalates legal war after court rejects 'Stalingrad Tactics', 15 May 2026 Independent reporting
Revision history
- 30 October 2026: Added High Court case citations for the 4 February 2026 and 14 May 2026 rulings.
- 30 October 2026: First published after source verification.
Related: Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma, public corruption, criminal prosecution, defence procurement, South Africa. To submit a document or request a correction, see right of reply.