SOUTH AFRICA: Zuma faces corruption charges

The head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mokotedi Mpshe, said there is enough evidence for Zuma to be charged for corruption. The NPA chief said a final decision on when he will face charges on the controversial arms deal is obvious. Zuma’s financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was jailed for 15 after he was found guilty of soliciting bribes on behalf of the new ANC chief. Jacob Zuma, who had mustered the support of most ANC organs – including the youth and women’s leagues – defeated President Thabo Mbeki to become the party’s leader. The win has boost his chances of succeeding Mbeki in 2009, but a conviction would jeopardise Zuma’s ascension to power. “The investigation is complete. All that we are doing now is to tie the loose ends,” Mpshe told 702 Talk Radio’ in South Africa.”The investigation, with the evidence we have now, points to a case that can be taken to court. Zuma was earlier acquitted on rape charges and the government’s earlier attempts to prosecute him on corruption could not be materialised for lack of evidence. Since then, investigations have been mounted on Zuma and things came to a climax last month when he lost a court bid to declare a series of search warrants against him illegal. The ANC conference voted for the disbandment of the Scorpions, unit most Zuma supporters believed was bent on conspiring to bring the new leader down. However, the Scorpions remain in force until parliament disbands it.