Zuma to run in S. African election

(CNN) -- South Africa's ruling African National Congress said Tuesday that Jacob Zuma will be its presidential candidate in the 2009 national elections, despite his pending trial on corruption and other charges, the South African Press Association reported.

Zuma, 65, became president of the ANC on Dec. 18 after he defeated current South African president and party member Thabo Mbeki.

Ten days later, South African prosecutors indicted Zuma on corruption, fraud, money-laundering and racketeering charges.

The prosecutors denied claims that they were influenced by Mbeki to go after Zuma, who has been dogged by corruption allegations for years. Learn more about Zuma »

Although Mbeki -- in charge since 1999 -- can stay on as president until his term finishes in 2009, analysts had said it would be difficult for him to do so if he lost the backing of his party.

The charges against Zuma stem from a payment he allegedly received as South Africa's deputy president from his financial adviser, guaranteeing protection in any government investigation into an arms deal.

The adviser, Schabir Shaik, was found guilty in 2005 of bribing Zuma and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Mbeki sacked Zuma as vice president after the verdict. He was also cleared of rape after a controversial trial. E-mail to a friend

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