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| Supporters rally for ANC leader | Supporters rally for ANC leader |
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| Thousands of people have rallied in support of the leader of South Africa's governing ANC as he appeared at a court hearing on corruption charges. | Thousands of people have rallied in support of the leader of South Africa's governing ANC as he appeared at a court hearing on corruption charges. |
| Jacob Zuma is trying to have the charges dismissed and remove the last obstacle in his way to becoming South Africa's next president. | Jacob Zuma is trying to have the charges dismissed and remove the last obstacle in his way to becoming South Africa's next president. |
| He stands accused of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering over a controversial arms deal. | He stands accused of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering over a controversial arms deal. |
| Supporters danced and sang during an overnight rally outside the court. | Supporters danced and sang during an overnight rally outside the court. |
| The supporters have promised to bring the city of Pietermaritzburg - where Mr Zuma is appearing at the high court - to a virtual standstill during hearing. | The supporters have promised to bring the city of Pietermaritzburg - where Mr Zuma is appearing at the high court - to a virtual standstill during hearing. |
| This was to have been the start of Mr Zuma's corruption trial but the ANC leader is challenging the state's decision to prosecute him, the BBC's Peter Biles reports from the city. | This was to have been the start of Mr Zuma's corruption trial but the ANC leader is challenging the state's decision to prosecute him, the BBC's Peter Biles reports from the city. |
| Under a cloud | Under a cloud |
| The shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma for several years. | The shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma for several years. |
| In 2005 he was sacked as South Africa's deputy president when his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma and jailed for 15 years in connection with an arms deal. | In 2005 he was sacked as South Africa's deputy president when his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma and jailed for 15 years in connection with an arms deal. |
| ANC allies to come out for Zuma | ANC allies to come out for Zuma |
| Mr Zuma then went on trial, but the case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed. | Mr Zuma then went on trial, but the case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed. |
| He was charged again last December shortly after winning a bitter campaign against President Thabo Mbeki to become ANC leader. | He was charged again last December shortly after winning a bitter campaign against President Thabo Mbeki to become ANC leader. |
| He denies the charges laid against him and says he has been the victim of a political conspiracy. | He denies the charges laid against him and says he has been the victim of a political conspiracy. |
| He also says that because of the lengthy delays he can no longer get a fair trial, and wants the case dismissed. | He also says that because of the lengthy delays he can no longer get a fair trial, and wants the case dismissed. |
| The leadership of the ruling ANC is standing squarely behind him | The leadership of the ruling ANC is standing squarely behind him |
| "We believe that Mr Zuma has been persecuted more than prosecuted by the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) and he's been tried in the public arena," ANC's chief spokesperson Jessie Duarte said. | "We believe that Mr Zuma has been persecuted more than prosecuted by the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) and he's been tried in the public arena," ANC's chief spokesperson Jessie Duarte said. |
| "It cannot take eight years to find enough evidence, if you have any, to bring a matter to trial." | "It cannot take eight years to find enough evidence, if you have any, to bring a matter to trial." |
| The party says it expects Mr Zuma, a former deputy president, to be its candidate for president in next year's election, when Mr Mbeki steps down. | The party says it expects Mr Zuma, a former deputy president, to be its candidate for president in next year's election, when Mr Mbeki steps down. |
| In February 2006, Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for comments about sex and HIV/Aids. | In February 2006, Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for comments about sex and HIV/Aids. |
Are you at the court in Pietermaritzburg? | Are you at the court in Pietermaritzburg? Can Mr Zuma be president while facing corruption charges? |
| Send us your comments by completing the form below. | Send us your comments by completing the form below. |
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| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |