South Africa's Zuma seeks dismissal of corruption case

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: Reuters

Jacob Zuma, leader of South Africa's ruling ANC, appeared in court on Monday in a bid to win the dismissal of a graft case that could stop him becoming president next year.

Zuma denies charges of corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering and says he will step down if convicted. The case is likely to decide whether the African National Congress leader succeeds President Thabo Mbeki next year.

Over 1,000 Zuma supporters rallied in Pietermaritzburg at a hearing in the city's high court, hoping to stop state prosecutors putting him on trial later this year.

A long trial could mean Zuma's case overlaps with general elections in 2009, increasing political instability in Africa's biggest economy. Zuma's strong union links are a concern for some investors, who prefer Mbeki's pro-business tilt.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSL48812320080804

[maddezmom]

1. similarities to Cheney etc.

Jacob Zuma’s legal team has already proved, year after year that, if you have a bottomless pocket such as taxpayers, you can protract litigation, U.S.-style for the better part of a decade.

The Presidency currently has a line item budget of 10 million rand per year for Zuma’s legal expenses. By South African standards, this is a record. It will certainly enable his legal team to appeal every point of procedure, then if necessary the verdict, and sentence. Each appeal starts with a delay of six or nine months on the court rolls, repeated as it winds it way upwards through a full bench of the High Court, followed by the Supreme Court of Appeal, followed by the Constitutional Court.

Sooner or later Zuma’s lawyers will also discover that above the highest court in South Africa lies the new Southern African Development Community (SADC) Tribunal, based in Windhoek, already resorted to by Zimbabwean white ranchers.

In short, it’s unimaginable that Zuma’s trial will have concluded by election day in 2009. The last appeal might well stretch even beyond a one-term Zuma presidency, which would end in 2014.

There are several analogies in other western-style governments. U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney shrugged off similar allegations to those against Zuma. Israeli Prime Minister Erhud Olmert was not prosecuted for illegally receiving money, but has announced his early retirement.

much:http://blogs.reuters.com/africa/2008/08/04/no-quick-end-seen-in-zuma-case/