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Zuma goes on trial for corruption | Zuma goes on trial for corruption |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The corruption trial of former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma has begun in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in the east of the country. | The corruption trial of former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma has begun in the Pietermaritzburg High Court in the east of the country. |
Mr Zuma and his co-accused, French arms firm Thint, face charges in connection with a bribe allegedly paid to Mr Zuma. | Mr Zuma and his co-accused, French arms firm Thint, face charges in connection with a bribe allegedly paid to Mr Zuma. |
Defence lawyers have called for the case to be thrown out of court. | Defence lawyers have called for the case to be thrown out of court. |
Hundreds of Mr Zuma's supporters, who stood by him during a separate rape trial in which he was acquitted in May, held an overnight vigil at the court. | Hundreds of Mr Zuma's supporters, who stood by him during a separate rape trial in which he was acquitted in May, held an overnight vigil at the court. |
The case could determine the political future of a man who remains one of South Africa's most popular politicians, and who is believed still to harbour ambitions to the presidency. | The case could determine the political future of a man who remains one of South Africa's most popular politicians, and who is believed still to harbour ambitions to the presidency. |
'Vendetta' | |
Mr Zuma sat in the dock wearing a dark suit, and smiled and put his hands together in greeting to his supporters, reports the South African Press Association. | Mr Zuma sat in the dock wearing a dark suit, and smiled and put his hands together in greeting to his supporters, reports the South African Press Association. |
Banners carried by his supporters outside the court included the slogan "fight conspiracy and demand justice". | Banners carried by his supporters outside the court included the slogan "fight conspiracy and demand justice". |
Some of his supporters believe that the charges against Mr Zuma are the result of a political vendetta. | Some of his supporters believe that the charges against Mr Zuma are the result of a political vendetta. |
Zuma denies the charges of corruptionMr Zuma was sacked from the government more than a year ago when his financial adviser Schabir Shaik was found guilty of corruption in a case that arose from a government arms procurement deal in the 1990s. | Zuma denies the charges of corruptionMr Zuma was sacked from the government more than a year ago when his financial adviser Schabir Shaik was found guilty of corruption in a case that arose from a government arms procurement deal in the 1990s. |
The judge said there had been a generally corrupt relationship between Mr Shaik and Mr Zuma, and evidence led in Mr Shaik's trial prompted the National Prosecuting Authority to start investigating charges against Mr Zuma. | The judge said there had been a generally corrupt relationship between Mr Shaik and Mr Zuma, and evidence led in Mr Shaik's trial prompted the National Prosecuting Authority to start investigating charges against Mr Zuma. |
Although the investigation prompted President Thabo Mbeki to relieve Mr Zuma of his duties as deputy president, he kept his position of deputy leader of the ANC. | Although the investigation prompted President Thabo Mbeki to relieve Mr Zuma of his duties as deputy president, he kept his position of deputy leader of the ANC. |
He first appeared in connection with the corruption allegations in the Durban magistrate's court in October, and prosecutors have spent the intervening period collecting and examining evidence. | He first appeared in connection with the corruption allegations in the Durban magistrate's court in October, and prosecutors have spent the intervening period collecting and examining evidence. |
Late last year, Mr Zuma was accused of rape by the daughter of a family friend, giving rise to a separate trial, in which he was acquitted. | Late last year, Mr Zuma was accused of rape by the daughter of a family friend, giving rise to a separate trial, in which he was acquitted. |