Zuma Faces New Corruption Charges

South African prosecutor says indictment is 'imminent'
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 20, 2007 7:03 AM CST
Zuma Faces New Corruption Charges
Former African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Jacob Zuma, second from right, reacts to being elected ANC president, after beating South African President Thabo Mbeki to lead the party, as newly elected ANC deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe, right, looks on, on the third day of the ANC conference...   (Associated Press)

The annual conference of the African National Congress isn't even over yet, and already newly elected leader Jacob Zuma is facing the prospect of new criminal charges. South Africa's head prosecutor said he has gathered enough evidence to charge Zuma with corruption linked to a 1999 arms deal, reports the Mail and Guardian. An aide is currently serving a 15-year sentence for soliciting bribes for Zuma.

Zuma supporters dismiss the allegations as part of a smear campaign by a police unit called the Scorpions, which is loyal to President Thabo Mbeki. The new Zuma-led ANC voted yesterday to disband the unit, although that decision is reserved for parliament. Zuma is expected to address the party tonight. Mbeki dismissed Zuma as deputy president in 2005 when Zuma faced separate corruption charges, which were later dismissed. (More Jacob Zuma stories.)

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