South Africa: South Africa arms case may hurt Mbeki's deputy

The race to succeed South African President Thabo Mbeki began unofficially yesterday with the opening in Durban of a high-profile corruption case. Mr Mbeki, re-elected to a second term in April, is not due to step down until 2009. But the integrity of Jacob Zuma, his deputy and most likely successor, will be in the spotlight as Schabir Shaik, Mr Zuma's former financial adviser, is tried for corruption, fraud and theft linked to a big arms deal.