Pietermaritzburg, South Africa – A judge on Wednesday dismissed a corruption indictment against presidential hopeful Jacob Zuma, who walked from court and broke into a Zulu song, “Bring Me My Machine Gun.”
The charges alleged that Zuma was aware of efforts by his financial adviser Schabir Shaik to secure yearly payments of $70,000 from the French arms company Thint Holdings, a co-defendant, to deflect investigations into an arms deal.
Jubilant supporters sang along, convinced the populist politician’s quest to lead South Africa has gained momentum. But concerns about the former deputy president may linger.
Judge Herbert Msimang first denied a motion for a postponement from prosecutors, who argued they needed more time to prepare.
When stunned prosecutors said they were unable to begin immediately, the judge said he had no choice but to dismiss the charges.
As the judge clamored for order, Zuma’s supporters inside and outside the court shouted with joy.
Some called for his immediate reinstatement as deputy president; he was fired by President Thabo Mbeki last year when it became clear prosecutors were going ahead with the corruption charges.
The prosecution said it would decide soon whether to bring new charges against Zuma.
But even before Wednesday’s ruling, doubts had been growing that the state could secure a conviction. Msimang was scathing about the prosecution’s case in his ruling Wednesday, calling the indictment “a sham” and saying Zuma had been treated like he was already convicted.
The judge also said the state’s case “limped from one disaster to another” and depended on the outcome of the challenges to new evidence gained in police searches.
Outside the court, Zuma declared, “I said I was innocent; I am still saying I am innocent. I will repeat it tomorrow.”
He then sang “Bring Me My Machine Gun,” a tune from the anti-apartheid struggle that has become something of a campaign song for Zuma.
The 64-year-old former guerrilla leader has built his following in part on his credentials in fighting to end white rule in South Africa.
Zuma was acquitted of rape in a separate trial earlier this year. In that case, statements he made revealed ignorance about how AIDS is transmitted and raised questions about his attitude toward women, setting off a debate about his leadership capabilities.
The corruption investigations centered on a $7.1 billion deal to buy ships, submarines, helicopters, jets and other arms in 1999.
Shaik, a close friend of Zuma, was convicted of fraud and corruption last year and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He has appealed.
Zuma said his charges result from a political conspiracy by forces inside the governing African National Congress to derail his campaign to become party leader and then president of South Africa when Mbeki’s term ends in 2009.
Makhosini Nkosi, spokesman for the National Prosecuting Authority, defended the state’s case.
“The NPA is obviously disappointed with this decision, but wishes to stress that it does not detract from the strength of the state’s case or the ability of the NPA to bring the matter to trial,” he said in a statement.
