South Africa’s former President Jacob Zuma has lost a bid to avoid prosecution for corruption charges.

The case has been hanging over Mr Zuma’s head for more than a decade and his legal team argued that the charges should be scrapped.

But a full bench of High Court judges in Pietermaritzburg disagreed.

Mr Zuma could now go on trial to face allegations that he accepted bribes from arms dealers, unless he appeals against the High Court's decision.

He has five says to say whether he will appeal.

Mr Zuma has spent many years and money fighting this case.

The state has accused him of accepting bribes for a multi-million dollar deal to supply arms to South Africa in the 1990s.

He has pleaded not guilty to the allegations and claims the case is political conspiracy to tarnish his name.

The company,Thales, who are also in court for the matter have denied bribing Mr Zuma.