South Africa to charge ex-deputy president Zuma

PRETORIA - South Africa's popular former deputy president Jacob Zuma will face corruption charges in a case that triggered his dismissal last week after an aide was convicted of bribing him, state prosecutors said today.

It is the latest blow to a powerful politician once seen as favourite to succeed President Thabo Mbeki in 2009.

"We have decided to bring criminal charges," a national prosecuting authority spokesman said.

"We have a case that can be successfully prosecuted ... Mr Zuma must be ready to appear in court some time this week."

The director of public prosecutions, Vusi Pikoli, told Zuma on Monday of the charges which include two counts of corruption.

Schabir Shaik, a friend of Zuma from the anti-apartheid struggle and later his financial adviser, was convicted this month of fraud and corruption. The judge found he and Zuma had a "generally corrupt" relationship.

Zuma's sacking as deputy president was widely hailed as proof of Mbeki's determination to set an example for the rest of Africa by fighting official corruption, a vexing topic for international donors, lenders and companies.

But it has split the ruling African National Congress (ANC), where Zuma remains party deputy president with a large following among the rank and file.

Zuma, who has denied wrongdoing and hinted at a political conspiracy, said he was glad finally to have his day in court.

"I welcome this decision as it affords me an opportunity to respond to and clarify the allegations that have been made against me," he said in a statement, adding he had asked the ANC to free him of party duties while staying as deputy president.

Shaik was found guilty of soliciting an annual 500,000 rand bribe for Zuma from a French arms firm in return for protecting it from a probe into a massive arms deal.

He was also convicted of paying Zuma 1.3 million rand in bribes to encourage him to use his political influence to further Shaik's business interests.

VENDETTA

The public prosecutor said in 2003 there was prima facie evidence against Zuma, but a court case would be unwinnable -- prompting angry rebuttals from Zuma that he was being subjected to a politically motivated "trial by media".

On Monday the pro-Zuma ANC Youth League welcomed the "long overdue" opportunity for Zuma to defend himself in court.

Analysts said charging Zuma would bolster Mbeki's anti-corruption credentials when he meets leaders of the world's most industrialised countries at July's G8 summit in Scotland.

"People who are worried about governance and corruption should be pleased," said Tom Lodge, a political scientist at Johannesburg's University of the Witwatersrand.

But others said an acquittal could position Zuma for a comeback in the race to succeed Mbeki when his second term ends.

"Acquittal will give credence to the notion, which he and many of his supporters believe, that this is a political vendetta," said Sipho Seepe, a political analyst at Johannesburg's Henley Management College.

- REUTERS