Zuma’s corruption charges dismissed

A SOUTH AFRICAN judge threw out corruption charges against ruling party leader Jacob Zuma yesterday, clearing the way for him to become the country’s next president.

Judge Chris Nicholson granted Zuma’s application to have corruption charges dismissed, saying it was clear there had been political interference in the case, and ordered the state to pay the African National Congress (ANC) leader’s legal costs.

The ruling led to South Africa’s rand currency weakening slightly against the dollar as investors fretted that Zuma’s union and communist allies may push him away from pro-business policies if he becomes president.