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'Enough evidence' to charge Zuma 'Enough evidence' to charge Zuma
(10 minutes later)
South Africa's top prosecutor says there is enough evidence to charge the new leader of the governing party, Jacob Zuma, with corruption.South Africa's top prosecutor says there is enough evidence to charge the new leader of the governing party, Jacob Zuma, with corruption.
The acting head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Mokotedi Mpshe, said a final decision on when to take action against him was "imminent".The acting head of the National Prosecuting Authority, Mokotedi Mpshe, said a final decision on when to take action against him was "imminent".
The charges relate to a controversial arms deal, which saw one of Mr Zuma's advisers jailed for 15 years.The charges relate to a controversial arms deal, which saw one of Mr Zuma's advisers jailed for 15 years.
Mr Zuma was elected leader of the African National Congress on Tuesday.Mr Zuma was elected leader of the African National Congress on Tuesday.
The 65-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, is due to deliver his acceptance speech and lay out his vision for South Africa at the ANC party conference on Thursday.The 65-year-old, who denies any wrongdoing, is due to deliver his acceptance speech and lay out his vision for South Africa at the ANC party conference on Thursday.
The BBC's Will Ross, at the conference in Polokwane, says the timing of the prosecutor's announcement has come as a surprise to many people.The BBC's Will Ross, at the conference in Polokwane, says the timing of the prosecutor's announcement has come as a surprise to many people.
Bitter fight 'Cloud'
Speaking on South Africa's 702 Talk Radio, Mokotedi Mpshe said the investigation into Mr Zuma was complete, and that "all we are doing now is tying [up] the loose ends".Speaking on South Africa's 702 Talk Radio, Mokotedi Mpshe said the investigation into Mr Zuma was complete, and that "all we are doing now is tying [up] the loose ends".
Mr Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley, told the Reuters news agency that he had not been notified about possible legal action against the ANC leader.Mr Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley, told the Reuters news agency that he had not been notified about possible legal action against the ANC leader.
JACOB ZUMA Played key role in fight against apartheidPlagued by corruption allegationsAcquitted on rape chargesSeen as charismatic Zuma: Comeback kidTimeline: Zuma's legal woes
"I can only speculate that the actions of the [acting head of the NPA] are fuelling and lending credence to the idea that state resources are being used against my client," he said."I can only speculate that the actions of the [acting head of the NPA] are fuelling and lending credence to the idea that state resources are being used against my client," he said.
Mr Zuma's supporters have been celebrating his election win
Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president in 2005 by President Thabo Mbeki, after he was implicated in a corruption trial that saw his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik convicted of fraud and corruption.Mr Zuma was sacked as deputy president in 2005 by President Thabo Mbeki, after he was implicated in a corruption trial that saw his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik convicted of fraud and corruption.
The case against Mr Zuma was withdrawn last year, but the NPA has been gathering new evidence and fresh charges have been expected for some time.The case against Mr Zuma was withdrawn last year, but the NPA has been gathering new evidence and fresh charges have been expected for some time.
Mr Zuma said last week that he would only step down from is position in the ANC when he was found guilty in court.Mr Zuma said last week that he would only step down from is position in the ANC when he was found guilty in court.
His supporters have portrayed the investigation into Mr Zuma as part of a conspiracy mounted against him by the elite Scorpions police unit, which was set up by Mr Mbeki.His supporters have portrayed the investigation into Mr Zuma as part of a conspiracy mounted against him by the elite Scorpions police unit, which was set up by Mr Mbeki.
ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa, an ally of Mr Zuma, said the charges hanging over Mr Zuma's head were "a cloud manipulated by the Scorpions", the AFP news agency reported.ANC treasurer-general Mathews Phosa, an ally of Mr Zuma, said the charges hanging over Mr Zuma's head were "a cloud manipulated by the Scorpions", the AFP news agency reported.
Unity pleaUnity plea
In an unrelated, high-profile case last year, Mr Zuma was cleared of rape. His supporters say those charges against him were also politically motivated.In an unrelated, high-profile case last year, Mr Zuma was cleared of rape. His supporters say those charges against him were also politically motivated.
As the new leader of the ANC, Mr Zuma is in a strong position to become the country's next president when Mr Mbeki's term ends in 2009.As the new leader of the ANC, Mr Zuma is in a strong position to become the country's next president when Mr Mbeki's term ends in 2009.
The leadership contest between Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma was bitterly fought, and divided the ANC.The leadership contest between Mr Mbeki and Mr Zuma was bitterly fought, and divided the ANC.
Afterwards, Mr Zuma's supporters called for unity, saying it was not the moment for triumphalism or revenge.Afterwards, Mr Zuma's supporters called for unity, saying it was not the moment for triumphalism or revenge.
But the shockwaves from the conference are being felt across South Africa, says BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut, and after more than a decade of stability, everything seems in flux.But the shockwaves from the conference are being felt across South Africa, says BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut, and after more than a decade of stability, everything seems in flux.