South Africa’s Zuma May Be Charged With Corruption
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — South African prosecutors may have enough evidence to bring corruption charges against Jacob Zuma, who was this week elected as president of the ruling African National Congress.
“The evidence suggests that there is a prosecutable case,” Tlali Tlali, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, said by telephone from Pretoria yesterday. He was confirming comments made by Mokotedi Mpshe, the acting head of the NPA, to 702 Talk Radio yesterday.
“A decision on whether to prosecute is imminent,” Mr. Tlali added. He didn’t give further details. Mr. Zuma, 65, was fired as deputy president of the country by President Mbeki in 2005 after Mr. Zuma’s financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of trying to solicit a bribe for him. Corruption charges against Mr. Zuma were dropped last year after a court refused a request by prosecutors for more time to investigate.
“The investigation is complete,” Mr. Mpshe said on 702 Talk Radio. “The investigation, with the evidence we have now, points to a case that can be taken to court.” Mr. Zuma’s lawyer, Michael Hulley, said he wasn’t aware that prosecutors may charge Mr. Zuma again and criticized Mr. Mpshe for making comments to the press.
