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Supporters rally for ANC leader |
| Thousands of supporters of the leader of South Africa's governing ANC have rallied outside a court where he faces a hearing on corruption charges. |
Jacob Zuma is trying to have the charges dismissed and remove the last obstacle in his way to becoming South Africa's next president.
He stands accused of corruption, fraud, racketeering and money-laundering over a controversial arms deal.
Supporters danced and sang during an overnight rally outside the court.
The supporters have promised to bring the city to a virtual standstill during Mr Zuma's appearance at the High Court in Pietermaritzburg.
This was to have been the start of Jacob Zuma's corruption trial but the ANC leader is challenging the state's decision to prosecute him, the BBC's Peter Biles reports from the city.
Under a cloud
The shadow of corruption has been hanging over Mr Zuma since 2005 when he was sacked as South Africa's deputy president.
He denies the charges laid against him and says he has been the victim of a political conspiracy.
He also says that because of the lengthy delays he can no longer get a fair trial, and wants the case dismissed.
The leadership of the ruling ANC is standing squarely behind him, our correspondent notes.
The party says it expects Mr Zuma, a former deputy president, to be its candidate for president in next year's election, when Thabo Mbeki steps down.
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