South African prosecutors today filed an application to appeal against a ruling that dismissed corruption charges against ANC leader Jacob Zuma, a spokesman said.
Earlier this month a judge threw out the charges against Mr Zuma and suggested there had been high-level political interference in the case, spurring the ruling African National Congress (ANC) to oust President Thabo Mbeki.
"We've filed our papers today in the (Pietermaritzburg) High Court," a National Prosecuting Authority spokesman said.
The ANC, dominated by Zuma supporters, says the judge's indication of high-level political meddling in the case justifies ending the pursuit of Mr Zuma, the front runner to become president after a general election expected around April 2009.
The argument has failed to sway prosecutors, however,
who have spent years investigating Mr Zuma, first for his role in an arms scandal and later for his relationship with a financial adviser who was convicted of fraud and other wrongdoing.
Mr Mbeki was recently replaced as president by Kgalema Motlanthe.
Reuters