Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


S. Africa's Zuma Delays Corruption Trial with Appeal

Agence France-Presse

   JOHANNESBURG - South Africa's embattled former president Jacob Zuma has
   appealed a court decision to try him for corruption, a judicial
   spokeswoman said Sunday, delaying yet again a long-awaited date with
   justice.

   Zuma is alleged to have taken bribes during a 1990s arms deal with five
   European companies, including the French defense group Thales.

   If the trial takes place, it would be the first time Zuma faces a court
   on graft charges, despite a string of accusations over his long
   political career.

   But in the latest twist to a 15-year-old judicial saga, prosecution
   spokeswoman Natasha Kara told AFP: "I can confirm that Mr. Zuma has
   indeed filed the application for leave to appeal on Friday."

   That was the last day on which Zuma could have appealed an October 15
   court rejection of his request to have 16 charges of fraud, graft and
   racketeering dismissed.

   Zuma was forced to resign as president last year by the ruling African
   National Congress (ANC) party after a nine-year reign marred by
   corruption allegations and dwindling popularity.

   He is accused of taking bribes worth four million rand ($270,000,
   240,000 euros) when he was deputy president from a 51-billion-rand
   ($3.4-billion) 1999 arms purchase.

   Both Zuma and Thales, which supplied equipment for navy vessels, deny
   the charges.

   The former president has dismissed the case as a "witchhunt".

   Since he was first accused of involvement in the affair in 2003, Zuma
   has avoided judicial penalties, while his financial advisor at the time
   was convicted of corruption in 2005 and sentenced to 15 years in
   prison.