South Africa’s Zuma Back In Court Over Corruption

Former South African president Jacob Zuma arrived in court on Monday as he fights to have corruption charges against him over 1990s arms deal dropped before the case comes to trial.

Zuma, who was forced to resign by the ruling ANC party last year, has been charged with 16 counts of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to the weapons deal dating back to before he took office in 2009.

Zuma, 77, is accused of taking bribes from French defence company Thales during his time as a provincial economy minister and later as deputy president of the African National Congress.

He allegedly pocketed around four million rand ($280,000; 250,000 euros) from 783 payments handled by Schabir Shaik, a businessman who acted as his financial adviser.

Both Zuma and Thales have denied any wrongdoing and have applied to the court for a permanent stay of prosecution.