South African corruption trial dismissed

A JUDGE dismissed corruption charges against former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma yesterday after the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed against the powerful, populist politician who could be the next president.

The ruling set off jubilant celebrations by Zuma supporters, who believed it would add new momentum to his presidential campaign — although the cloud of possible corruption and concerns about his judgment may linger.

“Everything has been brought to finality. If there are any others who would like to bring me back to court they must start afresh,” Mr Zuma told about 5,000 supporters celebrating outside the Pietermaritzburg courthouse.

Mr Zuma, who was acquitted of rape charges in an unrelated case earlier this year, was axed in 2005 as deputy president by President Thabo Mbeki when it became clear he would have to stand trial on corruption charges.

While he was acquitted of rape, statements he made on the stand that revealed ignorance about Aids and raised questions about his attitude towards women set off a debate about his leadership capabilities. He admitted having sex with an HIV positive woman and said he had showered afterwards to protect himself from the virus.

The 64-year-old former guerrilla leader has pleaded innocent to charges that he was aware of efforts by his financial adviser Schabir Shaik to secure him yearly payments of 500,000 rands (€53,395) from the French arms company Thint Holdings to deflect corruption investigations into a large South African arms deal.

The investigations centred on a 52.7 billion rand (€5.6bn) deal to buy ships, submarines, helicopters, jets and other arms in 1999.

Shaik, a close friend of Mr Zuma, was convicted for fraud and corruption last year and sentenced to 15 years in prison. His appeal will be heard next week.

Thint had been indicted alongside Mr Zuma. Defence attorney Kissie Naidu, part of the team representing the company, said after the ruling that as far as he was concerned “the matter is now over”.

Mr Zuma, who remains deputy leader of the governing African National Congress, has recently stepped up his campaign to succeed Mr Mbeki.

Mr Zuma contends the charges result from a political conspiracy by forces within the ANC to derail his candidacy.