Watershed trial of former deputy president postponed

Former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma will have to wait until 5 September to begin his court battle against graft charges after the judge delayed the opening of the trial on Monday to study submissions made by the prosecution and defence. Zuma is accused of having a corrupt relationship with his former financial advisor and taking bribes from a French arms company in exchange for helping to clinch multimillion-dollar government contracts. The outcome of the case could ultimately save or sink the 64-year-old's chances of becoming the country's next president, but analysts said the trial would also be a test for the country's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, and South Africa's democratic credentials both at home and abroad. "The trial is important for South Africa and the whole continent because it could ultimately determine who succeeds Thabo Mbeki as president," said political analyst Aubrey Matshiqi of the Centre for Policy Studies in Johannesburg. "Mbeki has kept both South Africa and Africa as a whole on the global agenda, and if it is believed we elect the wrong person after him then Africa's role in the world might be seriously undermined," he added. Zuma, a popular politician once considered the clear front-runner to become president, was sacked as deputy president after being linked to the graft scandal. He was cleared in May of raping an HIV-positive woman, but drew fire from women's groups and health organisations over comments he made about AIDS during the trial. Most seriously for South African democracy, Zuma has talked of a 'conspiracy' to destroy him, saying the rape and corruption charges were part of a plot to keep him from becoming president. He has rallied the left of the ANC behind him against elements he said were waging a smear campaign, plunging the ANC into the worst crisis in its history. The corruption trial may further fracture the party. "On a positive reading, this trial is a sign of the health of democracy in South Africa and how the constitutional structures are resilient," Matshiqi said. "On the other hand, if there is a campaign to undermine him - and it's important to note there is no evidence of this - but if there is, then we should be very, very concerned for democracy in this country." While the trial may be the crucial test of Zuma's hopes of becoming president, analysts said the ANC and the rule of law would ultimately both emerge stronger and more mature from the court fight. "Any way this trial goes, it augurs well for both the ANC and for democracy as a whole in South Africa," said Rok Ajulu, professor of Political Economy at the University of the Witwatersrand. "If Zuma is found guilty the ANC will be able to say the rule of law applies; if he is acquitted they will say exactly the same thing. It shows how important institutions are in SA compared to countries where they are downplayed or even ignored." Judge Herbert Msimang said on Monday at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg, near the east-coast city of Durban, that he had delayed the trial because he needed more time to study documents submitted by the prosecution and defence. Outside the courtroom Zuma was cheered by thousands of his characteristically loud supporters. "Although the media and the middle classes are hostile to him, Zuma still has huge support among the rank-and-file of the ANC and I believe that because of this he will become president if he is acquitted," Matshiqi commented. "This conflict will only strengthen South African democracy," he said. "But Zuma will have to reach a broader constituency if he wants to represent South Africa and Africa on the world stage."