This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-35694876
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
South Africa court to hear DA case against Zuma | South Africa court to hear DA case against Zuma |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A court in South Africa is hearing a case brought by the opposition to reinstate 738 corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma. | A court in South Africa is hearing a case brought by the opposition to reinstate 738 corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma. |
His office said he would oppose the bid, as prosecutors acted "rationally" when dropping the charges in 2009. | His office said he would oppose the bid, as prosecutors acted "rationally" when dropping the charges in 2009. |
The opposition believes the decision was political, and opened the way for Mr Zuma to become president. | The opposition believes the decision was political, and opened the way for Mr Zuma to become president. |
He was accused of taking bribes over a multi-billion dollar arms deal, but strongly denied the allegation. | He was accused of taking bribes over a multi-billion dollar arms deal, but strongly denied the allegation. |
At the time, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said phone-tap evidence, dubbed in the local media as "spy tapes", suggested political interference in the investigation, and it was "unconscionable" to press ahead with the case. | At the time, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said phone-tap evidence, dubbed in the local media as "spy tapes", suggested political interference in the investigation, and it was "unconscionable" to press ahead with the case. |
The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party is challenging the decision in the High Court after a nearly six-year legal battle. | The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) party is challenging the decision in the High Court after a nearly six-year legal battle. |
It said in court papers that the NPA's decision was unconstitutional and irrational. | It said in court papers that the NPA's decision was unconstitutional and irrational. |
South Africa's lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, is debating a no-confidence motion brought against Mr Zuma by the DA. | |
South Africa was "spiralling downward, and doing so at an alarmingly fast rate" under his presidency, it said in a statement. | South Africa was "spiralling downward, and doing so at an alarmingly fast rate" under his presidency, it said in a statement. |
The governing African National Congress (ANC) party, which commands an overwhelming majority, is expected to defeat the motion. | The governing African National Congress (ANC) party, which commands an overwhelming majority, is expected to defeat the motion. |
Despite the "frivolous antics" of the DA, its confidence in Mr Zuma remained unshaken, the party said. | Despite the "frivolous antics" of the DA, its confidence in Mr Zuma remained unshaken, the party said. |
Mr Zuma, a former ANC intelligence chief, has been dogged by controversy since he became president in May 2009 after the corruption charges were dropped the month before. | Mr Zuma, a former ANC intelligence chief, has been dogged by controversy since he became president in May 2009 after the corruption charges were dropped the month before. |
Last month, he conceded in court that he needed to pay the government for money used to upgrade his private home, including the building of a swimming pool, amphitheatre, chicken run and cattle enclosure. | Last month, he conceded in court that he needed to pay the government for money used to upgrade his private home, including the building of a swimming pool, amphitheatre, chicken run and cattle enclosure. |
That case was brought by the DA and left-wing Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party after Mr Zuma failed to pay the money, despite a ruling against him by an independent anti-corruption body in 2014. | |
In December, South Africa's currency went into a tail spin after having three finance ministers in a week. | In December, South Africa's currency went into a tail spin after having three finance ministers in a week. |