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South African Leader Indicted for Corruption

Lawyer calls charges 'politically motivated'; party crisis intensifies

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 28, 2007 10:39 PM CST
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(Newser) – South African prosecutors hit a new ruling party leader with corruption charges today, threatening his shot at the presidency and risking a prolonged legal and political crisis, the Guardian reports. ANC leader Jacob Zuma was ordered to stand trial next year on charges including racketeering and fraud linked to a $7.1 billion arms deal in 1999. Zuma's lawyer called the move politically motivated and the timing suspicious.

Analysts expect the indictment to bring further strife to a party—and country—deeply divided by Zuma's leadership battle with President Thabo Mbeki, the New York Times reports. “What you have here is a declaration of war,” said a critic of Mbeki. Zuma beat Mbeki in a bitter contest for the ANC helm last week, but has little chance of becoming president until the next election in 2009. 

Newly elected ANC president Jacob Zuma addresses delegates as the leading party's 52nd conference in Polokwane, South Africa, came to an end Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
Newly elected ANC president Jacob Zuma addresses delegates as the leading party's 52nd conference in Polokwane, South Africa, came to an end Thursday, Dec. 20, 2007. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)   (Associated Press)
Newly elected president of the ruling African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, speaks to the press at a festive season function in Durban, South Africa, Friday, Dec 28, 2007. The state broadcaster has reported that Zuma has received an indictment to stand trial on various counts of racketeering, money laundering, corruption...
Newly elected president of the ruling African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, speaks to the press at a festive season function in Durban, South Africa, Friday, Dec 28, 2007. The state broadcaster has reported...   (Associated Press)
South African President Thabo Mbeki, left,with South African High Commissioner to Britain Lindiwe Mabuza, second left, walks towards the main hall to listen to newly elected ANC President Jacob Zuma address delegates during the closing session of the African National Congress conference in Polokwane, South Africa, Thursday, Dec. 20,...
South African President Thabo Mbeki, left,with South African High Commissioner to Britain Lindiwe Mabuza, second left, walks towards the main hall to listen to newly elected ANC President Jacob Zuma...   (Associated Press)
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Stormy year ahead for South Africa
BBC

ANC voted to disband prosecuting unit
Associated Press

 
fraud • corruption • South Africa • racketeering • arms deal • Thabo Mbeki • Jacob Zuma • African National Congress

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