SOUTH AFRICA:A South African court has given the green light to a corruption inquiry into African National Congress (ANC) deputy president Jacob Zuma in a move that may thwart his chances of becoming the ruling party's next leader.
The Supreme Court of Appeal accepted the legality of contested warrants issued against Mr Zuma and his attorney, thereby overturning a ruling last year of the Durban High Court.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the decision, saying it "clears the path" for it to complete its investigation against Mr Zuma.
However the politician's lawyer, Michael Hulley, said it would approach the constitutional court for leave to appeal yesterday's ruling.
Prosecutors are seeking to get hold of documents being held by authorities in Mauritius and the UK, reportedly detailing discussions between French arms company Thint and Mr Zuma and his associates over a controversial weapons deal.
NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali said such inquiries would have to be completed before the authority could say whether Mr Zuma would be recharged.
President Thabo Mbeki removed the politician from government when the corruption allegations first came to light in 2005.
Mr Zuma however has since made a remarkable comeback and is favourite in opinion polls to secure the ANC leadership at a party conference next month.
Victory would put him in pole position to become South Africa's next president.
Don Mkhwanazi, chairman of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust, the ANC's deputy president's electoral vehicle, said the ruling was not the end of the road for Mr Zuma. He stressed nothing had been proven against him to date.
South Africa's main opposition party the Democratic Alliance has urged the ANC to postpone its presidential election until the allegations against Mr Zuma are properly answered.
The ANC is unlikely to yield to such demands, however.
It said yesterday in a brief statement: "We respect the court's decision.
"As we have consistently maintained, the law must be allowed to take its course."
Supporters of Mr Zuma have depicted the corruption investigation against him as a political conspiracy and claim it is designed to prevent him from running for office.
Mr Zuma scored a major legal victory last year when bribery and fraud charges were thrown out of court over procedural issues.
Yesterday's decision, however, paves the way for the NPA to recharge the politician who successfully fought off rape allegations in court 18 months ago.