afrol News, 12 September - South African court has today dismissed corruption charges against leader of ruling African National Congress (ANC), Jacob Zuma, clearing his way to run as country's next president.

A judge in Pietermaritzburg High court said there was reason to believe decision to charge him was politically motivated.

Judge Chris Nicholson's words were reportedly drowned out by cheers of Mr Zuma's supporters outside court. Decision effectively clears path for Mr Zuma to become president.

He was facing charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering relating to a multi-billion dollar 1999 arms deal.

Media reports show that there were scenes of celebration outside Pietermaritzburg High court, where hundreds of people had gathered since yesterday's evening for an all-night vigil.

Supporters had braved very cold wintry and drizzly night to show their support, singing and chanting in Zulu "vuli ndlela", which loosely translated, means open door.

Their message was that Supreme Court should leave way open for ANC leader to become president next year by dropping case.

Judge Nicholson said decision to prosecute without consulting Mr Zuma, 66, had been invalid and ordered charges to be set aside, for moment.

"I must repeat that this application has nothing to do with guilt or otherwise of applicant. It deals only with procedural point relating to Zuma's right to making representations before prosecution makes a decision on whether to charge him," he was quoted as saying.

Judge said charges could be resubmitted. A jubilant Mr Zuma was seen embracing his lawyer after ruling, media reports show.

They further indicate that Mr Zuma's lawyers are due back in court before end of year to try and get a permanent stay of prosecution.

Under South African law, a president does not have immunity from prosecution.

After leaving court, Mr Zuma addressed crowds, and led them in his trademark anti-apartheid guerrilla song, "Umshini wami" (Bring Me My Machine-Gun).

"We came here to celebrate and we are going to celebrate. This judgement exposed Thabo Mbeki and everybody who did this to him," South Africa's Mail and Guardian paper quotes ANC Youth League spokesman Floyd Shimvambu as saying.

Charges against Mr Zuma related to South Africa's largest post-apartheid arms deal, involving contracts totaling 30bn rand ($3.7bn; £2bn) to modernise its national defence force, involving companies from Germany Italy, Sweden, Britain, France and South Africa.

Mr Zuma was sacked as South Africa's deputy president in 2005, when his financial adviser was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma and jailed for 15 years in connection with deal.

He then went on trial, but case collapsed in 2006 when prosecution said it was not ready to proceed.

He was charged again last December shortly after winning a bitter campaign against President Thabo Mbeki to become ANC leader in what his allies say was a political conspiracy to prevent him becoming president.

Tension was raised this week, following publication of a cartoon showing Mr Zuma about to rape a figure labeled "Lady Justice," a reference to criticism of judges by Mr Zuma's supporters.

"We will eliminate any forces that come our way," ANC Youth League president Julius Malema reportedly said on Wednesday.

In April 2006, Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape in a separate case, though he was widely criticised for comments about sex and HIV/AIDS.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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