Top leaders of South Africa's ruling ANC said today they had "grave misgivings" about the timing of corruption charges against newly elected leader Jacob Zuma.
The ANC's National Executive Committee said after its first meeting since Mr Zuma was elected party president that it questioned the National Prosecuting Authority's handling of the charges against him and said Mr Zuma would still be their candidate for state president in 2009.
Last month, prosecutors served papers on Mr Zuma on charges including, racketeering, tax evasion and corruption.
The National Prosecuting Authority has been investigating allegations that the populist Zulu politician accepted bribes and was involved in other graft in connection with an arms deal.
Mr Zuma was acquitted of rape in 2006.