Zuma faces new graft trial

South Africa's appeals court yesterday overturned a judge's decision to dismiss graft charges against ruling ANC leader Jacob Zuma, opening the way for prosecutors to put him on trial.

The ruling comes only months before a general election in which his African National Congress faces its toughest challenge since the end of apartheid and re-opening the case could damage Zuma's image and create uncertainty in Africa's biggest economy.

The Supreme Court of Appeal said in its judgment that a High Court judge made several errors in a Sept 12, 2008 ruling.