African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma appeared in court today in a bid to win the dismissal of a corruption case that could stop him becoming president next year.
Mr Zuma denies charges of corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering and says he will step down if convicted. The case is likely to decide whether the ANC leader succeeds President Thabo Mbeki next year.
Over 1,000 Zuma supporters rallied in Pietermaritzburg at a hearing in the city's high court, hoping to stop state prosecutors putting him on trial later this year. His supporters say the charges are politically motivated.
"Zuma is being given a raw deal. He is not corrupted . . . If he is not the president, South Africa is going to see an anarchic type of government," said one protester.
"More of persecution than prosecution," said one placard held up by a Zuma supporter.
The ANC leader, who appeared smiling for the hearing, has publicly said he is ready to prove his innocence and go on trial, but he has fought hard to quash the case before it reaches a courtroom.
A long trial could mean Zuma's case overlaps with general elections in 2009, increasing political instability in Africa's biggest economy. Mr Zuma's strong union links are a concern for some investors, who prefer Mr Mbeki's pro-business tilt.
Mr Zuma's lawyer, Kemp J. Kemp, argued in court that South African authorities had not followed constitutional procedures in the case.
He is accused of accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes from French arms firm Thint and his financial adviser.
Mr Zuma won the ANC leadership last December from Mr Mbeki, who fired him as deputy president in 2005 after he was implicated in a corruption case in which his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted.
Charges against Mr Zuma were dismissed for technical reasons.
But the National Prosecuting Authority charged him with corruption again over the case shortly after he took over the helm of the ANC.
His supporters say the case is a conspiracy by Mbeki loyalists aimed at derailing his rival's political ambitions.
"Throughout the investigation and prosecution of this case the ANC President has had his rights repeatedly violated by institutions of state," the ANC said in a statement.
But the ANC leader was dealt a blow on Thursday when the Constitutional Court upheld a ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeals that raids on Mr Zuma and his lawyer were valid and that thousands of documents seized could be used against him in a trial.
The Pietermaritzburg hearing is expected to finish on Tuesday. If Mr Zuma loses the appeal, he is likely to ask the Supreme Court to have the corruption case dismissed.
Reuters