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Zuma immunity claims challenged Zuma immunity claims challenged
(20 minutes later)
South Africa's opposition has rejected claims that President Jacob Zuma cannot be prosecuted while he is in office.South Africa's opposition has rejected claims that President Jacob Zuma cannot be prosecuted while he is in office.
Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille has gone to court in a bid to overturn a decision to withdraw corruption charges against Mr Zuma.Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille has gone to court in a bid to overturn a decision to withdraw corruption charges against Mr Zuma.
But his lawyers say he cannot be prosecuted unless he is either impeached or resigns.But his lawyers say he cannot be prosecuted unless he is either impeached or resigns.
The charges were dropped in April, shortly before elections which saw Mr Zuma becoming president.The charges were dropped in April, shortly before elections which saw Mr Zuma becoming president.
State prosecutors said there had been evidence of political interference in the case under the previous government, led by Mr Zuma's rival Thabo Mbeki.State prosecutors said there had been evidence of political interference in the case under the previous government, led by Mr Zuma's rival Thabo Mbeki.
Mr Zuma has always denied the charges.Mr Zuma has always denied the charges.
Ms Zille said she will oppose the submissions made by Mr Zuma's lawyers to the Pretoria High Court this week.Ms Zille said she will oppose the submissions made by Mr Zuma's lawyers to the Pretoria High Court this week.
ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy presidentOctober 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rapeApril 2006: Acquitted of rape chargesSeptember 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwardsSeptember 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceedJanuary 2009:Prosecutors win appeal, opening the way for Zuma to be recharged6 April 2009: Prosecutors drop charges after receiving new phone-tap evidence22 April 2009: Leads ANC to election victory9 May 2009: Zuma sworn in as president Timeline: Zuma's legal problems S Africa's controversial arms deal class="" href="https://twitter.com/BBC_News_Africa">BBC News Africa on Twitter ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy presidentOctober 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rapeApril 2006: Acquitted of rape chargesSeptember 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwardsSeptember 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceedJanuary 2009:Prosecutors win appeal, opening the way for Zuma to be recharged6 April 2009: Prosecutors drop charges after receiving new phone-tap evidence22 April 2009: Leads ANC to election victory9 May 2009: Zuma sworn in as president Timeline: Zuma's legal problems S Africa's controversial arms deal
A paragraph in the president's legal submission to the court stated: "Charges can only be brought if he is successfully impeached in terms of the Constitution or after his term of office ends," reports the Mail and Guardian newspaper.A paragraph in the president's legal submission to the court stated: "Charges can only be brought if he is successfully impeached in terms of the Constitution or after his term of office ends," reports the Mail and Guardian newspaper.
But Ms Zille is adamant that this statement is not true, saying South Africa's constitution did not exempt a sitting president from criminal prosecution.But Ms Zille is adamant that this statement is not true, saying South Africa's constitution did not exempt a sitting president from criminal prosecution.
She added that the constitution was based on the principle that all all are equal before the law.She added that the constitution was based on the principle that all all are equal before the law.
Mr Zuma later refused to comment on his lawyers' submissions but said he would appear in court if ordered to do so.Mr Zuma later refused to comment on his lawyers' submissions but said he would appear in court if ordered to do so.
Ms Zille said the DA is going to court to reinforce the doctrine of "separation of powers" and wants Mr Zuma charged in his personal capacity.Ms Zille said the DA is going to court to reinforce the doctrine of "separation of powers" and wants Mr Zuma charged in his personal capacity.
Mr Zuma was first charged with corruption, racketeering and money-laundering in 2005, but has never faced trial.Mr Zuma was first charged with corruption, racketeering and money-laundering in 2005, but has never faced trial.
The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) had obtained recordings of phone conversations which suggested the timing of the decision to charge Mr Zuma in 2007 had been manipulated, leading to the charges being dropped.The National Prosecution Authority (NPA) had obtained recordings of phone conversations which suggested the timing of the decision to charge Mr Zuma in 2007 had been manipulated, leading to the charges being dropped.
Charges were resumed just days after Mr Zuma won a bitter contest against Mr Mbeki to lead the ruling African National Congress.Charges were resumed just days after Mr Zuma won a bitter contest against Mr Mbeki to lead the ruling African National Congress.