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Court Reinstates Corruption Case Against Zuma

Ahead of vote, would-be S. African prez faces 16 counts of fraud

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2009 5:43 AM CST

(Newser) – Jacob Zuma, the leader of the African National Congress and the likely next president of South Africa, once again faces corruption charges after the country's top appeals court reinstated 16 counts of fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion today. The court reversed a bombshell ruling from last September that threw out the charges and ultimately led to the resignation of his rival, former president Thabo Mbeki, reports the Mail & Guardian.

The charges stem from a 1999 arms deal in which Zuma is alleged to have accepted bribes from a French company. In a scathingly worded judgment, the court found that the judge in the earlier case had "taken his eye off the ball" and delivered an "incomprehensible" decision. South Africa's current president, Kgalema Motlanthe, confirmed that Zuma would still stand as the party's candidate in this spring's election.

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

African National Congress president Jacob Zuma speaks during the party's Manifesto pre-launch gala dinner in East London, South Africa, Friday Jan. 9, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma,centre, seen inside the Appeal Court in Bloemfontein, South Africa, Friday, Nov. 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Antoine De Ras, POOL)

African National Congress president Jacob Zuma at Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008, to attend a special sitting to elect a new president. (AP Photo/Nic Bothma/Pool)

African National Congress president Jacob Zuma salutes his supporters during the party's Manifesto launch at ABSA stadium in East London, South Africa, Saturday Jan. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

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Political meddling was not an issue that had to be determined. Nevertheless a substantial part of his judgement dealt with this question. He changed the rules of the game, he took his eyes off the ball. - Deputy Judge Louis Harms

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Court Reinstates Corruption Case Against Zuma