SAfrica's Zuma in court for graft trial

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PIETERMARITZBURG, (South Africa), August 4 (AFP): South Africa's ruling party head Jacob Zuma, entered the dock Monday for a long-awaited graft trial which could make or break his chances to become the country's next president.

Supporters of the 66-year-old African National Congress leader have vowed to shut down the sleepy city of Pietermaritzburg, where the trial of the immensely popular politician -- a native of the region -- is being held.

But the trial is likely to be further delayed with Zuma's lawyers expected to try and have the case thrown out.

Zuma -- widely seen as a champion of the poor and the underdog -- entered the court through a back entrance Monday morning, managing to avoid a scrum of photographers gathered outside.

This is the second time the state has attempted to prosecute Zuma for corruption after a judge struck the prosecutors' last bid off the roll in 2006, declaring their case against the populist leader was a disaster.