South Africa's ruling party leader, Jacob Zuma, has been indicted for corruption and will stand trial next year, his lawyer told the South African Broadcasting Corp. on Friday.

Newly elected ANC Leader Jacob Zuma, seen on Dec. 20, has been indicted for corruption.
(Denis Farrell/Associated Press)

Zuma, the recently elected leader of the African National Congress and in line to be the country's next president, will face various counts of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud in August, defence lawyer Michael Hulley said.

A spokesman for South Africa's prosecuting authority would not comment.

Zuma allegedly accepted bribes of nearly $600,000 US from the French arms company Thint to deflect investigation into a multibillion-dollar arms deal. The payments were allegedly arranged by Zuma's financial adviser, who was later convicted of trying to elicit a $70,000 bribe for Zuma.

When the scandal emerged two years ago, Zuma, then the country's vice-president, was fired by President Thabo Mbeki. He has been under investigation since.

Zuma has denied any wrongdoing.

South African prosecutors said on Dec. 20 they had enough evidence to charge Zuma, but charges were not announced until Friday.

Conviction would force Zuma to withdraw

The investigation into Zuma's dealings was conducted by a special unit called the Scorpions, which ultimately answers to the president.

When reports of possible charges surfaced, Zuma's supporters accused the Scorpions of abusing their power.

Zuma defeated Mbeki in the ANC leadership race at this month's party congress. When Mbeki steps down as president in 2009, the ANC's overwhelming support virtually guarantees Zuma the top job.

But, a criminal conviction would force Zuma to step down.

The corruption charges against Zuma marked a remarkable political comeback after a rape trial last year.

Zuma was acquitted of raping a family friend. He outraged AIDS activists when he testified during the trial that he had unprotected, consensual sex with the HIV-positive woman, then took a shower, believing it would protect him from the virus.

With files from the Associated Press