Zuma's legal future in balance

PIETERMARITZBURG - Thousands of supporters chanted support for former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma outside a court yesterday, as a judge considered arguments on whether to proceed with a graft trial.

Zuma fears another delay in the trial - it has been postponed twice - could hurt his chances of succeeding President Thabo Mbeki at a leadership conference of the African National Congress in December next year.

Prosecutors said the case against the Zulu politician, accused of soliciting bribes from a French arms company, should be postponed to give lawyers more time to study hundreds of key documents and deal with related legal proceedings. Zuma, acquitted of rape earlier this year, faces a jail sentence of 10 years or more if found guilty.

- REUTERS