South African SC: Corruption charges against Zuma can be reinstated
The Supreme Court of Appeal in South Africa has upheld a High Court ruling that paves the way to reinstating the hundreds of corruption charges filed against President Jacob Zuma. In 2016 High Court had ruled that a controversial 2009 decision by state prosecutors to drop 783 corruption and fraud cases against him was irrational. Zuma faces calls for resignation over the corruption scandal.
What are the charges against Zuma?
The National Prosecution Authority's (NPA) 2009 decision paved the way for Zuma to run for president later that year. The charges against Zuma are linked to a $5 billion arms deal that took place in the late 1990s. Since becoming president, he has faced several allegations of corruption, fraud, money-laundering, and racketeering. Zuma has rejected the allegations and insists he's innocent.
What happens next?
The NPA has been entrusted with deciding whether the charges should be reinstated and it remains unclear whether it will do so. It's also unclear when Zuma would approach a Constitutional Court to appeal the Supreme Court ruling. An expert said it's now up to Zuma's ANC party to decide over the next three months whether he should be removed.
