Mbeki's Former Deputy to Stand Trial

The political career of Jacob Zuma, the man once tipped to succeed Thabo Mbeki as South Africa's next president, was on the ropes yesterday after he was charged with corruption.

Mr Zuma was dismissed as deputy president last week, following the conviction of his financial adviser for corruption and fraud.

President Mbeki's decision to sack him was praised by the South African media, and regarded as proof of his determination to tackle corruption.

But the downfall of the popular politician has provoked an outpouring of sympathy from the public.

A spokesman for the national prosecuting authority said: "We have decided to bring criminal charges.

"On the basis of the evidence available, we think we have a case that can be successfully prosecuted. Mr Zuma must be ready to appear in court some time this week."

The former deputy president has denied any wrongdoing and hinted that he is the victim of a political conspiracy.

Last week crowds attending annual Youth Day rallies protested loudly at his dismissal and sang anti-Mbeki songs.

At one rally, the ANC party chairman for KwaZulu-Natal had to be escorted to safety by police after he was pelted with missiles by a crowd proclaiming their support for Mr Zuma.

Schabir Shaik, a friend of Mr Zuma from the anti-apartheid years, was convicted this month of fraud and corruption. The judge in the case said the two had a "generally corrupt" relationship.

The high court in Durban found that Shaik had paid Mr Zuma bribes in return for government contracts and that he had solicited a bribe from a French arms company, Thint Holdings, that would be paid to the deputy president.

In return, Mr Zuma was expected to deflect corruption investigations relating to a 1999 arms sale to the South African government.

In a speech to parliament last week, Mr Mbeki accepted that his deputy had not been charged with an offence, but said he was acting "in the interest of our young democratic system" in firing him.

Mr Mbeki is often contrasted unfavourably with his former deputy. Mr Zuma, who received no formal education and started work at 15, is regarded as affable and humorous, while the president has an aloof, intellectual image.

Analysts said the decision to charge Mr Zuma was further evidence of South Africa's determination to root out corruption, boosting Mr Mbeki's standing when he meets G8 leaders at next month's summit at Gleneagles.

"The kinds of people who are worried about governance and corruption should be pleased with the decision," Tom Lodge, a political scientist at the University of the Witwatersrand, told Reuters.

Others said a not guilty verdict could position Mr Zuma for a comeback in the race to succeed Mr Mbeki when his second term ends in 2009.