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South Africa court to hear DA case against Zuma South Africa's Zuma under fire from DA in court and parliament
(about 1 hour later)
A court in South Africa is hearing a case brought by the opposition to reinstate 738 corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma. South Africa's parliament is debating a no-confidence motion in President Jacob Zuma, while a court is hearing a case to reinstate 738 corruption charges against him.
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 court case, while the governing party vowed to defeat the motion.
The opposition believes the decision was political, and opened the way for Mr Zuma to become president. The opposition is behind both actions, accusing him of taking a bribe.
He was accused of taking bribes over a multi-billion dollar arms deal, but strongly denied the allegation. Mr Zuma has denied the allegation, linked to a multi-billion dollar arms deal negotiated over a decade ago.
He was first charged in 2005, and fired as deputy president by then-President Thabo Mbeki.
After much legal and political wrangling the case was dropped in April 2009, and Mr Zuma went on to become president a month later.
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 lengthy battle to obtain the "spy tapes".
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. Mr Zuma's office said, in a statement, that the court action was an "abuse of process by a political party in order to advance a political agenda".
South Africa was "spiralling downward, and doing so at an alarmingly fast rate" under his presidency, it said in a statement. Mr Zuma was confident that the NPA's decision would "withstand any scrutiny", the statement added.
The governing African National Congress (ANC) party, which commands an overwhelming majority, is expected to defeat the motion. 'Spiralling downward'
Despite the "frivolous antics" of the DA, its confidence in Mr Zuma remained unshaken, the party said. During a noisy parliamentary session, DA leader Mmusi Maimane, described Mr Zuma as a sell-out whose main aim was self-enrichment.
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. South Africa was "spiralling downward, and doing so at an alarmingly fast rate" under his presidency, the party added in a statement.
The governing African National Congress (ANC) party, which commands an overwhelming majority, said it would defeat the motion.
Despite the "frivolous antics" of the DA, its confidence in Mr Zuma remained unshaken, the party said in a statement.
Mr Zuma, a former ANC intelligence chief, has been dogged by controversy throughout him time in government.
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.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.
In 2005, Mr Zuma's former financial adviser Schabir Shaik was convicted of corruption.