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Zuma corruption charges dropped Zuma corruption charges dropped
(41 minutes later)
Prosecutors in South Africa have announced they are dropping corruption charges against African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma.Prosecutors in South Africa have announced they are dropping corruption charges against African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma.
Chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe described the decision as the most difficult of his life.Chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe described the decision as the most difficult of his life.
Mr Zuma is widely expected to become the country's next president after elections later this month. He said phone-tap evidence suggested there had been political involvement in bringing the charges against Mr Zuma relating to a 1999 arms.
He was accused of graft, racketeering and money-laundering in connection with a 1999 arms deal. Mr Zuma is widely expected to become president after polls later this month.
He was accused of graft, racketeering and money-laundering in connection to the multimillion dollar arms deal.
Mr Zuma has always denied the charges, saying they were part of a political plot.Mr Zuma has always denied the charges, saying they were part of a political plot.
The chief prosecutor said the decision had serious implications for the legal system in South Africa. The BBC's Alexis Akwagyiram says the ANC office in Polokwane unsurprisingly greeted with jubilation the NPA decision, which was broadcast live on radio and television.
Secret recordings
The chief prosecutor said the move had serious implications for the legal system in South Africa.
Victory for Zuma's hard-core fans
He said the decision related to the illegal manipulation of the prosecution system, as revealed by secret recordings of conversations with the former head of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), Bulelani Ngcuka.He said the decision related to the illegal manipulation of the prosecution system, as revealed by secret recordings of conversations with the former head of the National Prosecution Authority (NPA), Bulelani Ngcuka.
"I have come to the difficult conclusion that it is neither possible nor desirable for the NPA to continue with the prosecution of Mr Zuma," Mr Mphse said, reading his statement live on radio and television. "I have come to the difficult conclusion that it is neither possible nor desirable for the NPA to continue with the prosecution of Mr Zuma," Mr Mphse said.
"It is a difficult decision because the NPA has expended considerable resources on this matter, and it has been conducted by a committed and dedicated team of prosecutors and investigators who have handled a difficult case with utmost professionalism and who have not been implicated in any misconduct," added Mr Mpshe."It is a difficult decision because the NPA has expended considerable resources on this matter, and it has been conducted by a committed and dedicated team of prosecutors and investigators who have handled a difficult case with utmost professionalism and who have not been implicated in any misconduct," added Mr Mpshe.
Mr Zuma was first charged in 2005, but has never faced trial.
ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy presidentOctober 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rapeApril 2006: Acquitted of rape chargesSeptember 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwardsSeptember 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceedJanuary 2009:Prosecutors win appeal, opening the way for Zuma to be rechargedApril 2009: Elections due Timeline: Zuma's legal problems S Africa's controversial arms deal
The charges were twice been put on hold - most recently in September 2008, when the judge ruled that there had been political interference in the case while Mr Zuma's rival for party leadership, Thabo Mbeki, was president.
The NPA successfully appealed, but Mr Zuma then lodged a legal request for the charges to be reviewed.
There is expected to be an outcry from other political parties to the news.
They have previously condemned any move to drop charges against the ANC leader, saying it would be a clear interference in the judiciary by the government.
Earlier, opposition Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi told the BBC: "If the charges are just dropped when there is no trial it seems to me the stink of what they accused him of will not go away."
South Africa will hold presidential elections on 22 April.