South African Court Dismisses Zuma Graft Case

A Cape Town court on Friday dismissed a corruption case against Jacob Zuma, the president of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC), bolstering his bid to succeed President Thabo Mbeki next year. Judge Chris Nicholson dismissed the case on procedural grounds, clarifying however that the dismissal did not amount to an indication of whether Zuma was innocent or guilty of the corruption charges. In 2003, President Mbeki fired Zuma from his position as South Africa’s deputy president following accusations of racketeering, money-laundering, corruption and fraudulent dealing in a controversial arms sale. Zuma also faced a rape trial, got absolved and in 2007 defeated Mbeki in a party election for the ANC presidency. He has emerged the favourite to become South Africa’s next president when Mbeki steps down in 2009.[PE]