Zuma indicted in S Africa court

Supporters claim Jacob Zuma's charges are politically motivated

South Africa's former Deputy President Jacob Zuma has appeared briefly in court to be charged with corruption, amid tight security.

Police sealed off roads around the court in Durban, where hundreds of his supporters turned out to greet him.

Mr Zuma, who was sacked in June, denies charges of corruption relating to a multi-billion dollar arms deal.

Two local subsidiaries of the French arms manufacturer, Thales, have also been indicted.

Presidential hopes

Thousands of Mr Zuma's supporters gathered overnight on Friday outside the courthouse, chanting pro-Zuma slogans and singing protest songs.

Some also held a $40-a-head cocktail party nearby to raise money for his defence.

"People support me because of dissatisfaction with the way my whole matter was handled, so their behaviour should not cause harm or be a cause of concern to others," Mr Zuma told the Durban-based Mercury newspaper.

The BBC's Justin Pearce in Johannesburg says Mr Zuma's latest court appearance was being watched in as an indication of the scale of support he can still muster.

Mr Zuma has a big popular following among members of the governing African National Congress, and his last court appearance in October was marked by rowdy protests.

His case has split the ruling party, and many South Africans still hope he will be cleared of all charges and become the country's next president.

Mr Zuma's charges stem from the trial of his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik, who is appealing against a 15-year jail sentence for fraud and corruption.