PIETERMARITZBURG - Former President Jacob Zuma has been dealt another legal blow.
The Pietermaritzburg High Court has dismissed his application for a permanent stay of prosecution.
Zuma had joined French arms company Thales' bid to have all charges dropped.
It claimed that since two witnesses have died, they can't be cross-examined, and the trial would be unfair.
But Judge Nkosinathi Chili found the court does not have the authority to withdraw the charges.
He also dismissed Zuma’s argument that the absence of these witnesses would violate his right to a fair trial.
"The court seized with the matter has a duty to consider all the evidence before it, including the non-availability of all defence witnesses, before returning a verdict."
“There is no justification for the grant of the order sought by Mr Zuma. I therefore make the following order: The applications by both Zuma and Thales are dismissed, " the judge said.
Thales and Zuma face charges of corruption, money laundering and racketeering related to the 1999 multi-billion rand arms deal.