South africas zuma loses fresh bid to dodge bribe trial

Here's a summary of the article:

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has lost his latest bid to avoid standing trial on corruption charges. Zuma, who was forced to resign as president in 2018, has been accused of taking bribes from arms company Thales during his tenure as deputy president and later as president.

The High Court in Pretoria has dismissed Zuma's application to have the charges against him dropped, ruling that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the trial. Zuma's lawyers had argued that the charges were politically motivated and that the prosecution had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the allegations.

The corruption charges against Zuma date back to the 1990s, when he was deputy president under Nelson Mandela. The allegations center on a $2 billion arms deal between South Africa and French company Thales, in which Zuma allegedly received bribes in exchange for his support for the deal.

Zuma has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has claimed that the charges against him are part of a political conspiracy to remove him from power. However, the court has rejected his claims, ruling that the evidence against him is sufficient to proceed with the trial.

The trial is expected to begin in the coming weeks, with Zuma facing 16 charges of corruption, racketeering, and money laundering. If convicted, Zuma could face up to 25 years in prison.

The corruption allegations against Zuma have been a major scandal in South Africa, with many calling for his prosecution and conviction. The case has also highlighted the need for greater transparency and accountability in government, particularly in the arms industry.

Overall, the dismissal of Zuma's bid to avoid trial is a significant development in the case, and it is likely to have major implications for South African politics and the country's fight against corruption.