South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma on Wednesday lost a new bid to delay his corruption trial over a 1990s arms deal involving French defence giant Thales. The AFP reports that the ruling means Zuma’s trial remains on track to resume on April 11. Zuma had sought to have lead prosecutor Billy Downer dropped from the case, accusing him of bias. South Africa’s former President faces 16 counts of fraud, graft, and racketeering related to the purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats, and equipment from five European arms firms.
