South African prosecutors charge ANC leader Jacob Zuma with corruption
{{date|December 29, 2007}}
{{missing image|Image:JacobZuma.jpg|thumb|right|180px|Jacob Zuma. {{Image source|[http://www.gcis.gov.za/ GCIS South Africa]}}}}
Corruption-related charges have been brought against [[w:Jacob Zuma|Jacob Zuma]], the newly-elected leader of the [[African National Congress]] (ANC), according to his lawyer. A trial is scheduled to begin on August 14, 2008.

The charges stem from an arms deal with a [[France|French]] company, which is alleged to have involved bribes and fraud. Zuma's financial adviser at the time, [[w:Schabir Shaik|Schabir Shaik]], was convicted in 2005 of attempting to solicit a bribe of [[w:United States dollar|US$]]72,500 per year from the arms company on Zuma's behalf and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Zuma was fired as deputy president in 2005 by [[w:President of South Africa|South African President]] [[w:Thabo Mbeki|Thabo Mbeki]] due to the scandal.

Two-term ANC leader Mbeki recently lost an ANC leadership contest to Jacob Zuma, who garnered about 60 percent of delegate votes in his win.

Zuma had been charged with corruption in 2005, but the case was dismissed on procedural grounds. Michael Hulley, Zuma's defence lawyer, indicated that they will strongly contest the new charges in court. Hulley also suggested that the South African government's [[w:National Prosecuting Authority|National Prosecuting Authority]] (NPA) and its anti-organised crime division known as [[w:Scorpions (South Africa)|The Scorpions]], have carried out a smear campaign against Zuma.

"These charges will be vigorously defended, in the context of the belief that the Scorpions (NPA) have acted wrongly and with improper motive calculated to discredit Mr. Zuma and ensure that he play no leadership role in the political future of our country," said Michael Hulley in a statement.

Given that the ANC has been the governing party in South Africa since the end of [[w:History of South Africa in the Apartheid era|apartheid]] in 1994, it is likely that Jacob Zuma could become the next president after general elections in 2009. Zuma has said, however, that he would resign if he was found guilty by the courts.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/28/AR2007122801694.html?hpid=moreheadlines
|title=Zuma Faces Fresh Corruption Charges
|author=Craig Timberg
|pub=Washington Post
|date=December 28, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSL2828923720071228?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
|title=South Africa's Zuma to be tried for corruption: lawyer
|author=Paul Simao and James Macharia
|pub=Reuters
|date=December 28, 2007}}

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[[Category:Africa]]
[[Category:South Africa]]
[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:African National Congress]]
[[Category:Jacob Zuma]]
Corruption-related charges have been brought against Jacob Zuma, the newly-elected leader of the African National Congress (ANC), according to his lawyer. A trial is scheduled to begin on August 14, 2008.

The charges stem from an arms deal with a French company, which is alleged to have involved bribes and fraud. Zuma's financial adviser at the time, Schabir Shaik, was convicted in 2005 of attempting to solicit a bribe of US$72,500 per year from the arms company on Zuma's behalf and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Zuma was fired as deputy president in 2005 by South African President Thabo Mbeki due to the scandal.

Two-term ANC leader Mbeki recently lost an ANC leadership contest to Jacob Zuma, who garnered about 60 percent of delegate votes in his win.

Zuma had been charged with corruption in 2005, but the case was dismissed on procedural grounds. Michael Hulley, Zuma's defence lawyer, indicated that they will strongly contest the new charges in court. Hulley also suggested that the South African government's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and its anti-organised crime division known as The Scorpions, have carried out a smear campaign against Zuma.

"These charges will be vigorously defended, in the context of the belief that the Scorpions (NPA) have acted wrongly and with improper motive calculated to discredit Mr. Zuma and ensure that he play no leadership role in the political future of our country," said Michael Hulley in a statement.

Given that the ANC has been the governing party in South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, it is likely that Jacob Zuma could become the next president after general elections in 2009. Zuma has said, however, that he would resign if he was found guilty by the courts.
Africa South Africa Crime and law Politics and conflicts African National Congress Jacob Zuma