Zuma’s legal team says “Stop Stalingrad” application should be denied

Former president Jacob Zuma in the Pietermaritzburg High Court

Former President Jacob Zuma’s legal team has argued in the Pietermaritzburg High Court that the state’s so-called “Stop Stalingrad” application should be denied on several grounds.

The state has asked Judge Nkosinathi Chili to make an order that the arms deal corruption trial against Zuma and French arms company Thales should proceed regardless of any further applications or pending appeals.

Advocate Wim Trengove has argued for the state that Zuma has been using such processes to prevent the trial from getting under way.

These are informally known as “Stalingrad Defences”.

Advocate Dali Mpofu has argued for Zuma that the latest acquittal application was brought by Thales. He also points out that the previous trial Judge, Piet Koen said in a ruling that not enough evidence had been put before the court to prove that Zuma was deliberately delaying the case.

WATCH | French arms company Thales and former president Jacob Zuma are set to apply for permission to appeal the Pietermaritzburg High Court’s decision to dismiss their bid for acquittal on all charges in the arms deal corruption case. pic.twitter.com/VG0cIbScaE

— SABC News (@SABCNews) December 4, 2025