A judge at the High Court in South Africa has said that the decision in 2009 by the public prosecutor to drop corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma was irrational.

The court approves review of 2009 decision to drop hundreds of corruption charges against President Zuma

The charges relate to a multi-billion-dollar arms deal.

Jacob Zuma is the most colourful and controversial president South Africa has had since white-minority rule ended in 1994.

He was born into poverty, went into exile to fight apartheid and has been embroiled in a series of scandals, which would have ended the careers of many politicians.

His poor roots, charisma and strength in adversity partly explain his ability to hold on to power, despite calls for his resignation and attempts to oust him as ANC leader.

His credibility was most severely damaged in March 2016 when South Africa’s highest court ruled that he violated the constitution by failing to repay the government for money used on upgrading his private residence, including building a cattle enclosure, amphitheatre, swimming pool, visitor centre and chicken run.

The president apologised to South Africans for the “frustration and confusion” caused by the scandal vowed to pay the money. (AFP)

-Sun