JOHANNESBURG: South Africa's former Deputy President Jacob Zuma was charged in court with rape yesterday in a case that analysts say has practically dashed any hope of his becoming the country's next president.

The trial looks certain to further test South Africa's young democracy, coming on top of corruption charges against Zuma that his teeming grass-roots supporters insist are trumped up.

"The national prosecuting authority has decided that Jacob Zuma be arraigned in the Johannesburg magistrate's court on a charge of rape," prosecutors said in a statement.

"To this end Mr Zuma duly appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court today December 6, 2005, where the indictment and related documentation was served on him."

In a swift statement Zuma said: "I wish to state clearly that I am innocent of these charges."

He was freed on a 20,000 rand (US$3,140) bail. His case will open on February 13. No details of the charge were given.

Johannesburg's Sunday Times newspaper said last month a guest at Zuma's home, a family friend who saw Zuma as a kind of foster parent, reported an alleged rape to police.

Zuma, who earned his popularity from his leading role in the anti-apartheid struggle, is already facing a corruption trial stemming from the fraud conviction of his former financial adviser.

President Thabo Mbeki sacked Zuma as his deputy after the judge found in his ruling that Zuma and his adviser had a "generally corrupt" relationship.

Although Zuma is popular among rank and file members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), analysts say a rape charge looked certain to silence many of his followers who allege he is a victim of a political conspiracy.

His supporters including many trade unionists and Communist Party members have been markedly less vocal in their support over the rape claim than over the graft case.

Source: China Daily 12/07/2005 page7