South African prosecutors dropping Zuma case

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Prosecutors dropped corruption charges against Jacob Zuma on Monday, saying the case had been manipulated for political reasons and clearing the way for him to become the next president without the looming threat of a trial.

Zuma is the ruling party's candidate in the April 22 elections and is almost certain to win given the African National Congress' big majority.

Mokotedi Mpshe, acting director of public prosecutions, upheld long-standing complaints by Zuma that he was the victim of a political conspiracy, and that key prosecutors had abused their powers in pursuing the case against the 66-year-old former guerrilla leader.

"It is neither possible nor desirable for the National Prosecuting Authority to continue with the prosecution of Mr. Zuma," Mpshe told a packed news conference that was broadcast nationwide.

His decision followed a lengthy review of taped phone conversations between prosecutors first brought to Mpshe's attention by Zuma's legal team. It was unclear how Zuma's team obtained the recordings, but Mpshe said prosecutors determined they were authentic.

The news was greeted with an outpouring of joy and Zuma supporters danced through the streets of downtown Johannesburg, while car horns blared and whistles shrieked. Hundreds waved ANC flags in a downtown Johannesburg square, dancing and singing to Zuma's theme song "Bring Me My Machine Gun."

"I'm very happy for the decision, hoping that this gives our president what he needs for us to go forward," said Victress Iwabi, an ANC town councilor. "I think under Zuma people will have decent work, free and quality education, quality health care for all. And we are going to defeat crime."

There was no immediate reaction from Zuma; the ANC was due to have a news conference later Monday.

The presidential candidate for COPE, a recently formed political party that broke away from the ANC, said prosecutors should have gone forward with the case.

"It's a dark day for South African law. I did not hear anything that suggests how we will pull ourselves out of this mess," Mvume Dandala said. "We still have not heard about the merits or the demerits of the case against Mr. Zuma. The South African people want to know: Is he innocent or is he guilty?"

Prosecutors said Monday they remained convinced their case against Zuma was strong, and that they were withdrawing it only because the process was tainted.

Impoverished black South Africans embrace Zuma as a man they believe understands their struggle. Born in the rural Zulu heartland, Zuma lost his father when he was a young boy. His mother worked as a maid in Durban, and by the age of 15 Zuma was doing odd jobs to help her.