The Beeb has a good article providing a time line of Zuma’s past legal issues, here.
June 2005
Mr Zuma’s close associate Schabir Shaik found guilty of fraud and corruption in connection with a $4.8bn arms deal.
Judge Hilary Squires said there was evidence of “a mutually beneficial symbiosis” and that payments by Shaik to Mr Zuma “can only have generated a sense of obligation in the recipient”.
(Here is info about the trial)June 2005
Sacked by President Thabo Mbeki as South Africa’s deputy president after an outcry over Shaik’s conviction.October 2005
Charged with corruption.
Weeks later the HIV-positive daughter of a family friend accuses him of rape.February 2006
Mr Zuma goes on trial for rape. He denied the charges.April 2006
Acquitted of rape.
But criticised in the press for his remarks about sex:* that he knew she wanted to have sex with him because she was wearing a short traditional wrap-around
* that it was against his Zulu culture to turn down a woman
* and that he did not use a condom but took a shower to “protect” against HIV infection.At the time, he was head of South Africa’s Aids council.
May 2006
ANC votes to reinstate him in his party duties.September 2006
His corruption trial is struck from the court list when the prosecution asks for yet another delay to gather evidence.November 2007
The court of appeal opens the way for charges to be brought again when it rules that the seizure by police of incriminating documents from his home and office was legal.December 2007
ANC elects him as party president, defeating Mr Mbeki in a bitter vote, making him favourite to become South Africa’s next president, after elections due in 2009.Director of public prosecutions Mokotedi Mpshe announces that there is sufficient evidence to bring corruption charges. (Today’s story here)
In other news Manuel says he will not quit early.
