Zuma to face court after SA polls

Jacob Zuma has been in and out of court for the last few years

A high court in South Africa has postponed the corruption trial hearing for ruling African National Congress leader Jacob Zuma until 25 August.

Hundreds of people reportedly gathered outside the court in Pietermaritzburg to show their support for Mr Zuma.

Mr Zuma is favourite to become president after general elections expected around April.

Correspondents say it means he may emerge from the polls with a criminal prosecution hanging over his head.

But if he wins a separate challenge to the case in South Africa's highest court - the charges will be dropped.

Last year, Mr Zuma won a reprieve on the case on a technicality from a lower court, but the Supreme Court overturned that ruling in January.

ZUMA TIMELINE June 2005: Sacked as deputy president October 2005: Charged with corruption December 2005: Charged with rape April 2006: Acquitted of rape charges September 2006: Corruption case collapses December 2007: Elected ANC president; re-charged with corruption shortly afterwards September 2008: Judge rules corruption case cannot proceed January 2009: Prosecutors win appeal, opening the way for Zuma to be recharged 2009: Elections due Zuma's unwelcome distraction Profile: Jacob Zuma

His lawyers are now applying to the Constitutional Court seeking permission to challenge that ruling allowing state prosecutors to reinstate charges.

The ANC leader's legal team will also return to the Pietermaritzburg court on 24 June to apply for a permanent stay of prosecution.

Mr Zuma denies the 16 charges of corruption, money-laundering and racketeering which stem from a controversial $5bn (£3.4bn) arms deal in 1999.

He has remained popular despite the shadow of corruption has been hanging over him for several years.

In 2005, Mr Zuma was sacked as South Africa's deputy president when his financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty of soliciting a bribe on behalf of Mr Zuma and jailed for 15 years in connection with the arms deal.

Mr Zuma then went on trial, but that case collapsed in 2006 when the prosecution said it was not ready to proceed.