SOUTH AFRICA:African National Congress (ANC) president Jacob Zuma has been charged with corruption little over a week after seizing control of South Africa's ruling party, his lawyer said yesterday.
Attorney Michael Hulley said his client had been served with papers to stand trial in the high court next August on various counts of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud.
The papers were reportedly served yesterday by South Africa's FBI-style Scorpions, a controversial police unit that the ANC is seeking to abolish.
Mr Hulley told state broadcasters SABC that the timing of charges was "calculated to quickly redress the popular support and call to leadership of the ANC, which Mr Zuma's election so obviously demonstrates".
Mr Zuma has consistently argued that the Scorpions are politically biased, and that the investigation into his affairs is aimed at obstructing his rise to power.
His financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, is currently serving a 15-year sentence for soliciting bribes on behalf of the politician.
As ANC leader, Mr Zuma is poised to become president of South Africa when Thabo Mbeki steps down in 2009. Before his election 10 days ago, Mr Zuma said he would not automatically resign from office if charged.