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Court allows new trial for Zuma Court allows new trial for Zuma
(19 minutes later)
A South African appeals court has ruled that Jacob Zuma, the leader of the governing ANC, can 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 overturned an earlier high court ruling dismissing charges against Mr Zuma, saying the judge had "overstepped" his authority.Judges overturned an earlier high court ruling dismissing charges against Mr Zuma, saying the judge had "overstepped" his authority.
State prosecutors can now decide to reinstate the charges, which Mr Zuma has always denied. Prosecutors can now reinstate the charges, which Mr Zuma denies.
He is tipped to become the country's next president in upcoming elections. The ANC says Mr Zuma will still lead the party into this year's polls, so he is likely to become the next president.
The 16 charges of corruption, money-laundering and racketeering stem from a controversial $5bn 1999 arms deal.The 16 charges of corruption, money-laundering and racketeering stem 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. The ANC said that while it respected the Bloemfontein appeals court ruling, "it is important to note that this judgement has nothing to do with the guilt or otherwise of the ANC president. Nor does it make any pronouncements on the merits of the charges previously brought by the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority]."
Mr Zuma has said he would only resign from public office if convicted. Mr Zuma has said he would only resign from public office if convicted. He could still be prosecuted if he became president.
Political interference?Political interference?
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 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 proceedJanuary 2009:Prosecutors win appeal, opening the way for Zuma to be recharged2009: Elections due Zuma 'seeks to take third wife'Timeline: Zuma's legal problemsProfile: Jacob 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.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.
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."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. The suggestion of political interference led Thabo Mbeki to stand down as president. He was replaced 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.
"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.