ANC leader says graft charges a political vendetta

Durban, June 25 (PTI) - Leader of the South Africa's
ruling African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, who is set to
replace President Thabo Mbeki next year, has claimed that the
corruption charge against him is a political vendetta.

The graft charges against Zuma follows the prosecution
and conviction of his former financial advisor Schabir Shaik,
a Durban resident of Indian origin, in a multi-million arms
deal. Shaik was sentenced to 15 years in jail two years ago.

Zuma's first public claim on the issue yesterday was
made while filing an application to the High Court in
Pietermaritzburg.

He said the corruption charges were framed to prevent
him from becoming the country's president.

The charges against Zuma said he allegedly received
more than USD 500,000 over a 10-year period from Schabir Shaik
since early 1995 in return for political favours and
government contracts. But Zuma said the money he received from
Shaik were loans.

The A.N.C. leader's application, likely to be heard on
August 4, ahead of his corruption trial on August 14, appealed
to the High Court to drop all charges and prayed for a
permanent stay on the grounds that the allegations are
unconstitutional and invalid.

In his claim, Zuma said there is strong plot "to
prosecute him at all costs to eliminate him as a political
leader".

Though he did not elaborate on the "political plot",
Zuma is expected to give its full details when his application
comes up for hearing on August 4.

Zuma claims the decision to prosecute him was a
violation of his constitutional rights as he was not given
opportunity to make any representation while reviewing the
August 2003 not to charge him in the arms deal.

The 2003 ruling was overturned when charges were again
framed in December 2007 and June 2005.

He said the National Director of Public Prosecutions
has a constitutional duty to call for and properly consider
representations before deciding on a decision reversal.

Zuma argued that the failure to ask for
representations from him was either unlawful, unreasonable or
procedurally unfair and offends the principle of legality.

On N.P.A.'s accusations of cheating on his taxes by
not declaring gifts allegedly received in connection with the
arms deal, Zuma claims the allegations are without any merit
as tax matters should be dealt with by the South African
Revenue Service (S.A.R.S.) and not the N.P.A.

He added that the dispute between him and S.A.R.S. has
been resolved with S.A.R.S.'s claim settled in full.