(Ecofin Agency) - The tie is tightening around President Zuma’s neck as his appeal request to the court in arms case was rejected. “We seriously considered whether the appeal would have reasonable prospects of success and came to the conclusion that there are no merits in the arguments,” said High Court Judge Aubrey Ledwaba.

South Africa’s president is accused of corruption in an arm deal involving $4.8 billion, prior to his coming to power.

Charges were dropped in 2009, just before his election, but the opposition kept pushing and finally got from the High Court of Pretoria to re-open the case. Subsequently, the 783 corruption charges against Mr. Zuma are back on the table.

Now, Zuma’s last hope is the Constitutional Court.

Groups involved in the arm deal include Thales (Francce), Saab (Sweeden) and BEA Systems (UK).