World News

Court says Zuma charges can be reinstated

390

South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal ruled on Friday that President Jacob Zuma can face prosecution on almost 800 charges of corruption relating to a 1990s arms deal.

Zuma had lodged a challenge at the court in Bloemfontein after a lower court decided in 2016 to reinstate charges that were previously dropped by prosecutors. The National Prosecuting Authority must now decide whether to pursue a prosecution.

“The reasons for discontinuing the prosecution given… do not bear scrutiny,” said Supreme Court judge Eric Leach, who read the ruling which Zuma could now contest on appeal to the Constitutional Court, South Africa’s highest.
The opposition Democratic Alliance party had sought in 12 court appearances since 2009 to reactivate 783 charges regarding controversial post-apartheid military contracts that have dogged Zuma for much of his time in government.

The president, who is accused of corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering, has always insisted he is innocent. Just back in South Africa from a visit to Zambia, he has yet to comment on the judgement.

Zuma and other government officials were accused of taking kickbacks from the $5 billion purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and other arms manufactured by five European firms, including British military equipment maker BAE Systems and French company Thales.

In 2005 Zuma’s former financial adviser Schabir Shaikh was convicted for facilitating bribes in exchange for military hardware contracts and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was later released on medical parole.
Charges were first brought against Zuma in 2005 but dropped by prosecutors in 2009 before their reinstatement some seven years later.

In 2016 Zuma was ordered to repay $24 million to the public purse for upgrades to his personal residence that judges said showed he had disrespected the constitution.

“He’s going to try to fight back, but I think it will empower some within the ANC to extend a hand to him to say maybe this is a deal we can give you to get out,” said political analyst Ralph Mathekga ahead of the ruling. “He’s going to become much more vulnerable.”

Leave a comment

Related Articles

US Grants Asylum to Over 800 Nigerians in Two Years

Over the past two years, 897 Nigerians were granted asylum in the...

400,000 followers bid farewell to ‘Pope Among People’ in Rome

By Daniel Okejeme with agency report In a testament to his global...

ECOWAS begins relocation of its offices from Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

Following the recent withdrawal of the three Sahelian nations from the regional...

China signals openness to US trade talks

A potential breakthrough in trade talks between the US and China emerged...

Just in: ECOWAS Convenes in Ghana to Address Exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states will meet...

Coup Foiled in Burkina Faso, Military Junta Points to Exiled Officers in Ivory Coast

Burkina Faso’s military government says it has thwarted a “major coup plot”...

US Supreme Court Blocks Trump’s Deportation Plan for Venezuelan Migrants

The US Supreme Court, in a dramatic nighttime intervention on Saturday, blocked...

Arsonist sets fire to US Pennsylvania governor’s residence, ex-Pres. Joe Biden fumes

A suspected arsonist on Sunday broke into the residence of Pennsylvania Governor,...

As trade war escalates, China slaps US with 125% retaliatory tariffs

President Xi Jinping of China China has increased its retaliatory tariffs on...

Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister advocates stronger Nigeria-China relationship, amid global uncertainty

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb.Yusuf Tuggar, has emphasized the importance of...

U.S-China tariff war can slash trade by 80%, WTO DG warns

As the trade war between the United States of America and China...

Niger Republic military junta jettisons French, adopts Hausa as national language

Niger Republic’s military government has made a significant move to distance itself...

Coup Scare As VOA Halts Radio Operations In Nigeria, Ghana, Other W/A Countries

Panic swept through northern Nigeria and neighboring West African countries after Voice...

Trump Unveils Sweeping Trade Tariff Plan, Redefining Global Commerce

In a move that could significantly impact global trade, U.S. President Donald...

Skyscraper Collapses in Thailand After Powerful Earthquake Hits Region, Multiple People Trapped

A high-rise building still under construction in Bangkok collapsed after a powerful...

Just In: Boxing Legend, Olympian George Foreman Passes Away at 76

George Foreman, the two-time heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic gold medalist, has...

Heathrow Airport Shut Down After Major Fire at Electrical Substation

By Sam Akpan with agency report Europe’s busiest airport, Heathrow, was shut...

Uranium-Rich Namibia to Swear in First Female President

Southern Africa’s desert nation of Namibia swears in its first woman President...

South African Ambassador Expelled by US Amid Trump Criticism Fallout

United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has announced that President Donald...

Green card holders, foreign students may be deported if … – US VP Vance

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has reaffirmed the Trump administration’s tough stance...