SOUTH AFRICA:ANC LEADER Jacob Zuma's hopes of beating corruption charges were dealt a serious blow yesterday when attempts to have evidence against him excluded at his trial were dismissed by the country's highest court.
Lawyers for Mr Zuma and French arms company Thint had contested the legality of the search and seizure of documents by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) at their premises in 2005, saying the warrants violated their clients' privacy, property and other rights.
However, nine of the 10 constitutional court judges concluded the warrants were valid and that thousands of documents seized could be used against the ANC president, who is also the front runner to succeed South African president Thabo Mbeki in next year's general election.
Mr Zuma has been charged with corruption, moneylaundering, fraud and racketeering. The charges relate to bribes he allegedly took from Thint in the late 1990s in return for helping the company to secure arms contracts from the South African government.
His financial adviser, businessman Schabir Shaik, has already been convicted of soliciting bribes on behalf of Mr Zuma from Thint, and is serving a custodial sentence. Mr Zuma denies all the charges against him.
Thousands of Mr Zuma's supporters are expected to attend another hearing on Monday at Pietermaritzburg high court in Kwa-Zulu Natal province, where his legal team will try to have the case against him declared unlawful. If this application proves unsuccessful the 66-year-old's trial will likely take place later this year.
After the constitutional court's rejection of Mr Zuma's challenge yesterday the NPA said it was "very pleased" with the outcome.
"This marks the conclusion of one chapter in the protracted legal battle," said NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali, before adding the authority was now ready to "get the [ Zuma] criminal trial under way".
Following the verdict the ANC said in a statement it respected the court's ruling, but also reaffirmed its support for the party president and his right to a fair trial.
"For this reason, ANC leaders and supporters will gather outside the Pietermaritzburg high court on Monday 4th August to demonstrate this support.
"The ANC reiterates its view that the manner in which this case has been handled by the authorities over the last few years has reinforced the perception that the ANC president is being persecuted rather than merely prosecuted."