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| Court allows Zuma trial to resume | Court allows Zuma trial to resume |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A South African appeals court has ruled that the corruption case against ANC leader Jacob Zuma can continue. | A South African appeals court has ruled that the corruption case against ANC leader Jacob Zuma can continue. |
| A judge overturned an earlier high court ruling dismissing charges against Mr Zuma, saying the lower court judge had "overstepped" his authority. | A judge overturned an earlier high court ruling dismissing charges against Mr Zuma, saying the lower court judge had "overstepped" his authority. |
| State prosecutors said Mr Zuma "remains a charged person". | State prosecutors said Mr Zuma "remains a charged person". |
| The ANC says Mr Zuma will still lead the party into elections due in the coming months, meaning he is the strong favourite to become the next president. | The ANC says Mr Zuma will still lead the party into elections due in the coming months, meaning he is the strong favourite to become the next president. |
| The 16 charges of corruption, money-laundering and racketeering stem from a controversial $5bn 1999 arms deal. | The 16 charges of corruption, money-laundering and racketeering stem from a controversial $5bn 1999 arms deal. |
| The ANC said that while it respected the Bloemfontein appeals court ruling, "it is important to note that this judgement has nothing to do with the guilt or otherwise of the ANC president. | The ANC said that while it respected the Bloemfontein appeals court ruling, "it is important to note that this judgement has nothing to do with the guilt or otherwise of the ANC president. |
| "Nor does it make any pronouncements on the merits of the charges previously brought by the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority]." | "Nor does it make any pronouncements on the merits of the charges previously brought by the NPA [National Prosecuting Authority]." |
| It added that it and Mr Zuma reserved the right "to pursue all options available in law". | It added that it and Mr Zuma reserved the right "to pursue all options available in law". |
| This means an appeal to the highest court in South Africa, the Constitutional Court, and a bid for a permanent stay of proceedings to prevent charges being pursued, says the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg. | This means an appeal to the highest court in South Africa, the Constitutional Court, and a bid for a permanent stay of proceedings to prevent charges being pursued, says the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg. |
| Mr Zuma has said he would only resign from public office if convicted. He could still be prosecuted if he became president. | Mr Zuma has said he would only resign from public office if convicted. He could still be prosecuted if he became president. |
| 'Conspiracy theory' | 'Conspiracy theory' |
| The charges against Mr Zuma were dismissed on a technicality last September. ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy president October 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rape April 2006: Acquitted of rape charges September 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwards September 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceedJanuary 2009:Prosecutors win appeal, opening the way for Zuma to be recharged2009: Elections due Profile: Jacob ZumaZuma 'seeks to take third wife'Timeline: Zuma's legal problems | The charges against Mr Zuma were dismissed on a technicality last September. ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy president October 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rape April 2006: Acquitted of rape charges September 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwards September 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceedJanuary 2009:Prosecutors win appeal, opening the way for Zuma to be recharged2009: Elections due Profile: Jacob ZumaZuma 'seeks to take third wife'Timeline: Zuma's legal problems |
| But the Supreme Court said Judge Chris Nicholson in the High Court "overstepped the limits of its authority" by suggesting there may have been political interference in the prosecution of Mr Zuma. | But the Supreme Court said Judge Chris Nicholson in the High Court "overstepped the limits of its authority" by suggesting there may have been political interference in the prosecution of Mr Zuma. |
| Judge Louis Harms said the claims "were not based on any evidence or allegation. They were instead part of the judge's own conspiracy theory and not one advanced by Mr Zuma." | Judge Louis Harms said the claims "were not based on any evidence or allegation. They were instead part of the judge's own conspiracy theory and not one advanced by Mr Zuma." |
| The suggestion of political interference led Thabo Mbeki to stand down as president. | The suggestion of political interference led Thabo Mbeki to stand down as president. |
| Mr Mbeki himself had called the lower court ruling, passed in September 2008, "unfair and unjust" as he had not been able to defend himself in court. | Mr Mbeki himself had called the lower court ruling, passed in September 2008, "unfair and unjust" as he had not been able to defend himself in court. |
| Judge Harms likened Judge Nicholson to a football referee who "took his eye off the ball" and penalised not only players but also spectators - meaning Mr Mbeki, Associated Press news agency reported. | Judge Harms likened Judge Nicholson to a football referee who "took his eye off the ball" and penalised not only players but also spectators - meaning Mr Mbeki, Associated Press news agency reported. |
| Mr Mbeki was replaced by Kgalema Motlanthe, an ally of the ANC leader. | Mr Mbeki was replaced by Kgalema Motlanthe, an ally of the ANC leader. |
| Judge Harms delivers his ruling | |
| Mr Zuma has unwavering support from the ANC leadership, the trade unions and Communist Party. | Mr Zuma has unwavering support from the ANC leadership, the trade unions and Communist Party. |
| Mr Zuma's supporters have always said that a series of charges against him were part of a plot to prevent him becoming president. | Mr Zuma's supporters have always said that a series of charges against him were part of a plot to prevent him becoming president. |
| The opposition Democratic Alliance had expressed concern at the lower court's ruling last year, saying it would bring a private prosecution if the NPA did not proceed. | The opposition Democratic Alliance had expressed concern at the lower court's ruling last year, saying it would bring a private prosecution if the NPA did not proceed. |
| For several years, the shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma, who won a bitter ANC leadership contest against Mr Mbeki last year. | For several years, the shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma, who won a bitter ANC leadership contest against Mr Mbeki last year. |
| In 2005, Mr Zuma was sacked as South Africa's deputy president when his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma and jailed for 15 years in connection with the arms deal. | In 2005, Mr Zuma was sacked as South Africa's deputy president when his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma and jailed for 15 years in connection with the arms deal. |
| Mr Zuma then went on trial, but that case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed. | Mr Zuma then went on trial, but that case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed. |
| He was also charged with rape, but acquitted in 2006. | He was also charged with rape, but acquitted in 2006. |
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| Are you in South Africa? What purpose would a resumption of the trial have? What impact will this have on South African politics? Sends us your views using the form below: | Are you in South Africa? What purpose would a resumption of the trial have? What impact will this have on South African politics? Sends us your views using the form below: |