South Africa: Mbeki fires Zuma

President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa has relieved the country's deputy president, Jacob Zuma, of his post. Mbeki announced this to a joint sitting of South Africa's parliament in Cape Town. His move came in the wake of the conviction of Zuma's financial advisor, Schabir Shaik, on charges of corruption and fraud last week. Mbeki said he took into account the basic pillars of South African jurisprudence, including the presumption that someone was innocent until proven guilty. Zuma - who was not charged in the trail of Shaik - "has yet to have his day in court." Mbeki also noted that Shaik was taking his case on appeal and that it was possible the judgement might be overturned.