[JURIST] A business associate of former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma [party profile] lost his appeal Monday on corruption charges [JURIST report] before the highest appeals court in South Africa, leaving Zuma's name tarnished as a potential presidential candidate. Businessman Schabir Shaik was accused of paying Zuma for political favors, and on appeal [JURIST report], the South African Supreme Court of Appeals [official website] found that enough evidence existed to support the case and the 15-year jail term handed down to Shaik.

South African President Thabo Mbeki [BBC profile] fired Zuma [JURIST report] from his position last year after Shaik was initially found guilty. Zuma has indicated repeatedly that he intends to run against Mbeki in the 2009 presidential election. In June, the African National Congress [party website] reinstated Zuma to his deputy president position within the party after he was acquitted on rape charges [JURIST reports]. In September, a high court judge tossed the corruption charges brought against Zuma himself [JURIST report], saying prosecutors had failed to follow proper procedures, though the charges may be brought again in the future. The Financial Times has more.