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Court to rule on Zuma graft case Court allows new trial for Zuma
(about 2 hours later)
An appeal court is to decide whether Jacob Zuma, the leader of South Africa's governing ANC, should be recharged with corruption and fraud. A South African appeals court has ruled that Jacob Zuma, the leader of the governing ANC, can be recharged with corruption and fraud.
Judges are to decide if an earlier high court ruling dismissing charges against Mr Zuma was correct. Judges overturned an earlier high court ruling dismissing charges against Mr Zuma, saying the judge had "overstepped" his authority.
If the judgement goes in favour of the state prosecutors, the case against Mr Zuma could be reinstated. State prosecutors can now decide to reinstate the charges, which Mr Zuma has always denied.
The ANC leader is widely tipped to become the country's next president after upcoming elections. He is tipped to become the country's next president in upcoming elections.
Whatever happens in the Bloemfontein appeal court on Monday, Mr Zuma will remain the ANC's contender to run the country after the forthcoming general election, says the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles. The 16 charges of corruption, money-laundering and racketeering stem from a controversial $5bn 1999 arms deal.
The 65-year-old has always denied charges of graft, money-laundering and racketeering, stemming from a controversial $5bn 1999 arms deal. Despite the Bloemfontein appeal court ruling on Monday, Mr Zuma will remain the ANC's contender to run the country after the forthcoming general election, says the BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles.
He has said he would only resign from public office if convicted. Mr Zuma has said he would only resign from public office if convicted.
Political interference?Political interference?
Charges of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money laundering against Mr Zuma were dismissed on a technicality last September. ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy president October 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rape April 2006: Acquitted of rape charges September 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwards September 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceed October 2008: Prosecutors given leave to appeal2009: Elections due Zuma 'seeks to take third wife'Timeline: Zuma's legal problemsProfile: Jacob Zuma The charges against Mr Zuma were dismissed on a technicality last September. ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy president October 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rape April 2006: Acquitted of rape charges September 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwards September 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceed October 2008: Prosecutors given leave to appeal2009: Elections due Zuma 'seeks to take third wife'Timeline: Zuma's legal problemsProfile: Jacob Zuma
Judge Chris Nicholson also suggested there may have been political interference in the prosecution of Mr Zuma. But the Supreme Court said Judge Chris Nicholson in the High Court "overstepped the limits of its authority" by suggesting there may have been political interference in the prosecution of Mr Zuma.
That led Thabo Mbeki to stand down as president and his replacement by Kgalema Motlanthe, an ally of the ANC leader. Judge Louis Harms said the claims "were not based on any evidence or allegation. They were instead part of the judge's own conspiracy theory and not one advanced by Mr Zuma."
That suggestion led Thabo Mbeki to stand down as president and his replacement by Kgalema Motlanthe, an ally of the ANC leader.
Mr Motlanthe has said Mr Zuma would lead the ANC into this year's elections even if he was charged with corruption.Mr Motlanthe has said Mr Zuma would lead the ANC into this year's elections even if he was charged with corruption.
"So as far as the ANC is concerned, if the Nicholson judgement is overturned, whatever happens thereafter must run its course, even if he is charged," Mr Motlanthe told South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper last week."So as far as the ANC is concerned, if the Nicholson judgement is overturned, whatever happens thereafter must run its course, even if he is charged," Mr Motlanthe told South Africa's Mail and Guardian newspaper last week.
Mr Zuma has unwavering support from the ANC leadership, the trade union confederation Cosatu, the SA Communist Party, the ANC Youth League, the Young Communist League and the MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe) Veterans' Association.Mr Zuma has unwavering support from the ANC leadership, the trade union confederation Cosatu, the SA Communist Party, the ANC Youth League, the Young Communist League and the MK (Umkhonto we Sizwe) Veterans' Association.
Mr Zuma's supporters say the charges were part of a plot to prevent him becoming president.Mr Zuma's supporters say the charges were part of a plot to prevent him becoming president.
For several years, the shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma, who won a bitter ANC leadership contest against Mr Mbeki last year.For several years, the shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma, who won a bitter ANC leadership contest against Mr Mbeki last year.
In 2005, Mr Zuma 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 the arms deal.In 2005, Mr Zuma 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 the arms deal.
Mr Zuma then went on trial, but that case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed.Mr Zuma then went on trial, but that case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed.
He was also charged with rape, but acquitted in 2006.He was also charged with rape, but acquitted in 2006.