New Charges Brought Against South Africa's Newest ANC Leader

SOUTH AFRICA - Today, Jacob Zuma, the newly elected leader of the African National Congress, was served prosecution papers charging Zuma of various counts of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud. Zuma's attorney, Michael Hulley, reported this new information via email to the AFP news agency.

This legal battle, however, is not new or unexpected. Zuma was first charged with corruption two and a half years ago and was fired as South Africa's deputy president by President Thabo Mbeki after charges had been made. Though charges in 2005 were dropped, Zuma's financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of facilitating bribes to Zuma on behalf of a French company Thint, and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment according to BBC News.

In October of the same year, Zuma's legal problems had taken a new spin when he was accused of rape by the daughter of a family friend who is HIV positive. In February of 2006, he went to trial on the rape charges and again manages to beat the rap as he maintains his innocence and by April is acquitted.

Zuma may have escaped the charges, but didn't escape criticism in the press about comments he had made about the incident. He stated that he knew she wanted to have sex with him because she was wearing a short traditional wrap. He claimed that it was against Zulu tradition to turn down a woman and also claimed that he did not use a condom, but took a shower to "protect" against HIV infection.

In November of 2007, the path was cleared for new charges to be brought against Zuma after the court of appeal rules that the seizure by police of incriminating evidence from his home and office was legal. The court also ruled to allow for access to documents about a meeting between Zuma and Thint where an alleged discussion of a substantial bribe took place.

Earlier this month, the ANC held leadership elections where Zuma defeated Mbeki by more than 60% of the vote, and plucking the president's allies out of the top party posts. This leadership position for Zuma, places him as a favorite to become South Africa's next president in the 2009 elections, but these new charges served today could derail Zuma's presidential efforts.

Zuma's supporters believe that the charges constantly being brought up are all apart of a conspiracy against him. Zuma has said he will not resign unless he is convicted.