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Zuma aide's graft appeal to start Zuma aide's graft appeal starts
(about 3 hours later)
A South African court is due to begin hearing an appeal by the former financial advisor to ex-Deputy President Jacob Zuma. A South African court has begun hearing an appeal by the former financial advisor to ex-Deputy President Jacob Zuma, Schabir Shaik.
Schabir Shaik was convicted of corruption and fraud last year. Shaik was last year sentenced to 15 years in prison for fraud.
At the time judge Hilary Squires said Mr Shaik's relationship with Mr Zuma, who is seen as a possible future president, was "generally corrupt". At the time judge Hilary Squires said Shaik's relationship with Mr Zuma, who is seen as a possible future president, was "generally corrupt".
This prompted President Thabo Mbeki to sack Mr Zuma. He, too, was then charged with corruption but cleared last week.This prompted President Thabo Mbeki to sack Mr Zuma. He, too, was then charged with corruption but cleared last week.
Mr Zuma was also acquitted on separate rape charges earlier this year - his supporters say there is a political vendetta against him, designed to remove him from the race to succeed Mr Mbeki in 2009.Mr Zuma was also acquitted on separate rape charges earlier this year - his supporters say there is a political vendetta against him, designed to remove him from the race to succeed Mr Mbeki in 2009.
Mr Shaik was sentenced to 15 years in jail for corruption, relating to a 1999 arms deal. Shaik's lawyers argued that his guilt had not been proved beyond reasonable doubt.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions, Cosatu, last week said Mr Zuma should be reinstated as deputy president, after his acquittal.The Congress of South African Trade Unions, Cosatu, last week said Mr Zuma should be reinstated as deputy president, after his acquittal.
The case was thrown out because the prosecution said they were still not ready to start the trial more than a year after he was charged.The case was thrown out because the prosecution said they were still not ready to start the trial more than a year after he was charged.
Mr Zuma and Shaik were both charged over a 1999 arms deal.
The prosecution, however, say they may still press new corruption charges against him.The prosecution, however, say they may still press new corruption charges against him.
Unless this happens, Mr Zuma would be free to contest next year's leadership contest of the ruling African National Congress.Unless this happens, Mr Zuma would be free to contest next year's leadership contest of the ruling African National Congress.
Whoever is elected to head the ANC would be favourite to become South Africa's next president.Whoever is elected to head the ANC would be favourite to become South Africa's next president.