FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN A CORRUPTION TRIAL.

The former South African President Jacob Zuma has pleaded not guilty in a corruption trial involving a five billion dollar arm deal from 1990’s

He is facing 18 counts of racketeering, corruption. fraud tax evasion and money laundering

Mr. Zuma blames political enemies in the governing African National Congress ANC party for his legal troubles

Reports say the arms deal involved buying new fighter jets, helicopters, submarines and warships.

But questions emerged about the deal months after it was signed with some critics, saying the government should have spent the money on fighting poverty.

Mr. Zuma was South Africa’s president from 2009 until 2018 when he was forced to resign after a vote of no confidence

 Today, crowds gathered outside the courthouse in Pietermaritzburg city in Kwa Zulu Natal province to cheer on Mr. Zuma who still enjoys some popular support.