Name: Zuma’s 18-year corruption battle nears crucial court ruling
Uploaded: 2025-12-08T09:11:16.571Z
Duration: 1 min 8 s
Description: Zuma is also fighting a ruling ordering him to repay $1.6 million in state-funded legal fees from his corruption defense. He is appealing the judgment, insisting he is not liable.

Zuma is also fighting a ruling ordering him to repay $1.6 million in state-funded legal fees from his corruption defense. He is appealing the judgment, insisting he is not liable.

Pietermaritzburg

Former South African President Jacob Zuma is awaiting a crucial court ruling in Pietermaritzburg after facing 18 charges, including corruption, fraud, and money laundering, linked to over 700 alleged illegal payments from a 1999 arms deal. Zuma has denied all accusations, labeling the case as politically motivated, while his legal team continues to challenge the impartiality of the prosecution and highlight difficulties in mounting a defense due to the deaths of key witnesses.

The trial has been ongoing for nearly 20 years, with numerous delays caused by appeals and legal challenges. Prosecutors argue that these tactics have stalled the proceedings, but all previous attempts to block the trial have been dismissed. Zuma’s legal issues extend beyond this case, as he was previously jailed in 2021 for contempt of court after refusing to testify before the Zondo Commission.

Zuma’s 18-year corruption battle nears crucial court ruling

Zuma faces 18 charges, including corruption, fraud, and money laundry, over allegations that he received more than 700 illegal payments tied to a 1999 arms deal. He has denied all accusations, calling the case a politically motivated witch hunt. The corruption trial has dragged on for nearly 20 years, repeatedly stalled by appeals and legal challenges from Zuma and Tal's. Prosecutors told the judge that these tactics have delayed the case for 18 years, noting that all previous attempts to block the trial have been dismissed. Zuma's legal team continues to question the impartiality of the lead prosecutor, while arguing that the deaths of two key Tal's executives have weakened their ability to mount a proper defense. The former president's legal troubles extend beyond this case. In 2021, he was jailed for contempt of court after refusing to testify before the Zondo Commission.

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