Jacob "Umshini Wami" Zuma is home free

Or so it seems, with that massive sword hanging over his head gone. The path clear to the ANC presidency and then on to the highest post in the land, that of state president.

After the narrow scrape with the recent rape trial he dodges the cannonball, that of the alleged corruption trial saga.

With mass celebration he walked out of the court a free man, as the judge struck the entire case off roll.

There apparently were serious flaws in the states' preparation of the case and when Pietermaritzburg high court judge, Hon. Msimang (I wonder if he is related to the embattled health minister) looked it over he threw it out immediately.

I shudder to think of the shenanigans in the background that led to the judge making such a decision. The barriers and obstacles thrown up by the defense to impact the effectiveness of the prosecution's attempts to investigate. The bribery and corruption that was almost certainly involved.

Umshini Wami - A Zulu song that Mr Zuma sings whenever he addresses his crowds of followers. "Umshini Wami" roughly translates to machine-gun (AK-47).

He clearly has the resources and allies to do practically anything he wants.

His former friend, Schabir Schaik, that was left dangling when he was convicted and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on corruption charges, definitely did not have the same wherewithal to dodge his bullet. Shaik's trial involved Mr. Zuma and the French arms company, Thint, this opened the way for Zuma's own corruption trial.

Here is an except from the BBC profile of the man:

...

When the ANC came to power in South Africa, he served for five years in the provincial government of his home region, KwaZulu-Natal, before being selected as deputy president when Thabo Mbeki took office in 1999.

This was a strategic move by Mr Mbeki. Mr Zuma was able to draw support from key ANC constituencies such as Cosatu and the ANC Youth League, and continued to do so in a period when conservative economic policies introduced under Mr Mbeki ran the risk of alienating the party rank and file.

Moreover, as a member of the Zulu ethnic group, Mr Zuma was seen by the ANC as someone with appeal to a group of people whose loyalties are divided between the ethnically diverse ruling party and the Zulu nationalist Inkatha Freedom Party.

...

Before that trial, Mr Zuma's succession to the presidency was taken as given. For anyone else who may have had presidential ambitions, there was simply no point in taking the political risk of putting themselves forward as a challenger.

...

Now that the man once appointed to head the government's Moral Regeneration Campaign has become embroiled in a rape scandal, the chances of a Zuma presidency have dwindled almost to nothing.

From BBC

I reckon that there is enough time for him to rebuild his tarnished image and place him in the presidency in 2009.

That is if the state fails to rebuild the case against him with fresh evidence and there are no more skeletons in his closet waiting to fall out. He has always had the support of the far left wing (Communist Party, Cosatu, ANC Youth League) and a strong support base in Kwa-Zulu Natal, the heartland of Zulu supporters.

Here is what he has to say after the trial:
...

"They asked me what the charges are instead of asking the state. They had already sentenced me," said Zuma. "You [his supporters] showed that you know what democracy, constitution, judiciary and the law is."
...
"I said I was innocent, I am still saying I am innocent, I will repeat it tomorrow. I can say anything I like because there is no sub judice now."
...

And the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) had to say this:

"The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is obviously disappointed with this decision, but wishes to stress that it does not detract from the strength of the state's case or the ability of the NPA to bring the matter to trial when the various issues delaying the trial have been resolved,"

"In view of the unprecedented public interest around this matter, and its potential to affect public confidence in our criminal justice system, the NPA firmly believes that the case should be decided on its merits, and not on the basis of procedural technicalities,"

And further along:
...
Msimang's decision to throw out the charges also applied to the state's case against Thint.
...
South Africa's rand slipped on news of Msimang's decision, moving to 7,4125 to the dollar from 7,36 to the dollar earlier in the day.

Economic analysts, along with many educated South Africans, say the prospect of a Zuma presidential campaign could be bad news for South Africa's international image, built in part on a reputation for a strong stance against corruption.
...

From Mail & Guardian