[JURIST] The judge presiding over the much-anticipated corruption trial of former South Africa deputy president Jacob Zuma [party profile] Monday postponed proceedings until September 5. The prosecution sought to have the trial postponed for further investigation, while the defense sought to have the case withdrawn. Zuma was indicted on corruption charges [JURIST report] last November, and has said the charges are part of a conspiracy to discredit him politically [JURIST report] in order to prevent him from challenging South African President Thabo Mbeki [BBC profile] in the 2009 presidential election.

In June, the African National Congress [party website] reinstated Zuma to his deputy president position within the party after he was acquitted on rape charges [JURIST reports]. Zuma was fired [JURIST report] from his position in the government last year after one of his advisors, South African businessman Schabir Shaik [Wikipedia profile] was found guilty [JURIST report] on charges of corruption and fraud. BBC News has more. From South Africa, the Mail & Guardian has local coverage.