The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg has dismissed French arms company Thales’ bid to challenge the racketeering charge it faces along with former president Jacob Zuma. The case represented the only barrier standing in the way of Zuma’s long-awaited trial actually proceeding. Reports say that, should the company not appeal, the corruption case could start as early as April this year.

The KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg has dismissed French arms company Thales’ bid to challenge the racketeering charge it faces along with former president Jacob Zuma. The case represented the only barrier standing in the way of Zuma’s long-awaited trial actually proceeding. Reports say that, should the company not appeal, the corruption case could start as early as April this year.