SA court rejects Zuma graft case

A South African court has ruled that a corruption case against ruling party leader Jacob Zuma cannot go ahead.

He was facing charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering relating to a multi-billion dollar 1999 arms deal.
A judge in Pietermaritzburg said there was reason to believe the decision to charge him was politically motivated.
His words were drowned out by cheers of supporters outside the court. The decision means Mr Zuma is likely to become president in polls next year.
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Pietermaritzburg said there were scenes of celebration outside the court, where thousands of people had gathered - some since Thursday evening for an all-night vigil.
After leaving court, Mr Zuma addressed the crowds, and led them in his trademark anti-apartheid guerrilla song, "Umshini wami" (Bring Me My Machine-Gun).

"This is a lesson that we should never keep quiet when those in power break the law," he told the crowds in his mother-tongue, Zulu.
Judge Chris Nicholson said the decision to prosecute without consulting Mr Zuma, 66, had been invalid and ordered the charges to be set aside - for the moment.
"I must repeat that this application has nothing to do with the guilt or otherwise of the applicant. It deals only with the procedural point relating to his [Zuma's] right to making representations before the respondent [the prosecution] makes a decision on whether to charge him," AFP news agency quotes him as saying.