South Africa's Jacob Zuma in court
Jacob Zuma has appeared in court on corruption charges
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Monday, 04, Aug 2008 12:41
The head of South Africa's ruling party Jacob Zuma has appeared in court on corruption charges today.
The African National Congress (ANC) leader is accused of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering over an arms deal.
Supporters of the popular politician gathered outside the court having previously threatened to bring Pietermaritzburg, the city in which the trial is taking place, to a standstill.
Mr Zuma, 66, has said he will stand down as ANC leader if he is found guilty, preventing him from becoming the country's next president.
Critics, however, claim Mr Zuma is simply trying to delay proceedings until he is made president.
The 66-year-old defeated incumbent president Thabo Mbeki in December to become leader of the ANC.
Corruption has long hung over Mr Zuma during his political career.
In 2005 he was sacked as South Africa's deputy president when his financial adviser was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on his behalf.
His subsequent trial collapsed the following year after the prosecution declared it was not ready to proceed.
In February 2006, Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape after admitting during the trial that he had slept with an HIV-positive family friend.