South Africa ex-president charged with corruption News
South Africa ex-president charged with corruption

South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma is facing trial over 16 charges related to corruption, South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority [official website] boss Shaun Abrahams announced on Friday.

The charges include one count of racketeering, two counts of corruption, one count of money laundering and 12 charges of fraud relating to a 30 billion rand (USD $2.5 billion) government arms deal made in the late 1990s.

The charges were first brought against Zuma in 2007. The prosecution was cancelled in 2009 when charges were dropped by the National Prosecuting Authority. In 2016 the High Court reinstated the charges and the Supreme Court of Appeal determined that the withdrawal of the charges were irrational in October 2017.

The current announcement by Abrahams states that the issues should be decided by the court. Abrahams also stated that there were “reasonable prospects of a successful prosecution of Mr. Zuma on the charges listed.” An application for a permanent stay of prosecution of Mr. Zuma was filed in the Cape High Court. Abrahams announced that the state attorney was instructed to oppose the application.

Zuma was urged [JURIST report] to resign in February by the African National Congress over corruption charges and social and economic issues. A South African court had denied [JURIST report] Zuma’s appeal in June 2016 regarding the corruption charges.

THIS DAY @ LAW

38 Santee Sioux hanged by US for rebellion

On December 26, 1862, 38 Santee Sioux men were hanged in a mass execution for their roles in a rebellion against US authorities in Minnesota which left hundreds dead and made refugees of some 40,000 white settlers. Government annuities promised under a treaty with the Sioux had failed to arrive on schedule and credit for purchases was not advanced in the meantime, threatening the tribe with starvation. The Santee Sioux Tribe's members were deported first to South Dakota and ultimately to Nebraska, where they remain today. Learn more about the 1862 Minnesota Sioux Rebellion.

Louis XVI put on trial during French Revolution

On December 26, 1792, Romain de Sèze, a defense attorney for deposed King Louis XVI, presented a defense of his client. The former King was on trial before a French Revolutionary court on thirty-three charges, including treason and other crimes against the state. He was convicted on January 15, 1793 executed by guillotine on the following January 21.