Rape trial of South Africa's Zuma postponed

JOHANNESBURG - The rape trial of South Africa's former Deputy President Jacob Zuma has been postponed until March 6 at the request of the defence.

Judge Ezra Goldstein made the announcement to a packed courtroom as some 1,500 Zuma supporters gathered outside. Zuma's defence team asked for the delay to give it more time to examine documents, lawyers said.

Goldstein stepped in to announce the delay after Judge Bernard Ngoepe withdrew on Monday following a complaint by the defence that he may be biased.

It was not clear who would preside over the proceedings now. Ngoepe's deputy Jeremiah Buti Shongwe had been expected to take over, but Zuma's defence team also objects to him.

"We shall await the appointment of a substantive judge in the matter," Michael Hulley, one of Zuma's defence team, told Reuters.

One of South Africa's most popular politicians and former frontrunner to succeed President Thabo Mbeki in 2009, Zuma was charged with raping a 31-year-old Aids activist and longtime family friend in November. He denies the charge.

Mbeki fired Zuma as his deputy last year following a corruption scandal which has removed him as a contender for the top post, unless he clears his name.

Zuma also denies the graft charge and the next hearing of the case is in July. He says the corruption charges are part of a vendetta by his political enemies in the ruling African National Congress.

- REUTERS