Zuma

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters):

South Africa's top prosecutor believes there is enough evidence to bring renewed graft charges against Jacob Zuma, newly elected head of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), a local radio station reported yesterday.

Talk Radio 702 quoted prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe as saying a decision was imminent on whether to take action against Zuma, who ousted President Thabo Mbeki as ANC leader on Tuesday.

But Mpshe, acting director of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), only said on air: "The investigation is complete, all we are doing now is tying (up) the loose ends."

An NPA spokesman said he could not comment.

President

Because of the ANC's electoral dominance, Zuma is expected to become president when Mbeki steps down in 2009 but a graft conviction would force him to stand down.

Uncertainty over the charges is one of several elements causing concern among investors after Zuma's election.

Mbeki fired Zuma in 2005 after he was charged with bribery and fraud over an arms scandal. The case collapsed on a technicality.

But days before Zuma became ANC leader, an elite crime unit called the Scorpions filed papers in the Constitutional Court containing what they said was new evidence against him.

Zuma denies any wrongdoing. His supporters allege he is the victim of a plot by Mbeki, who was humiliated in the ANC vote and now has no office in the party.

Critics accuse Mbeki of using state institutions to purge opponents.

Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley, told Reuters Mpshe had not notified him about possible legal action against the ANC leader.

"I can only speculate that the actions of the national director are fuelling and lending credence to the idea that state resources are being used against my client," he said.

In 2005, Zuma's former financial advisor Schabir Shaik was convicted of trying to solicit a 500,000 rand ($72,500) a year bribe for Zuma from a French arms company and jailed for 15 years.