Hearings begin in graft case against S Africa's Zuma

PIETERMARITZBURG, South Africa, Sept 5 (Reuters) Hundreds of chanting supporters hailed former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma today as a judge began hearings on whether his graft trial should go ahead.

Zuma entered the court in the southern city of Pietermaritzburg amid ululation from supporters, who say the hero of South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle has been framed by rivals to prevent him from becoming the country's next president.

Some chanting supporters held placards reading, ''Innocent Until Proven Guilty'' and ''Zuma our President''. Zuma faces a jail sentence of 10 years or more if found guilty. An acquittal could restore him as frontrunner to succeed Thabo Mbeki as South African president in 2009.

The 64-year-old Zulu politician was sacked by Mbeki last year over allegations he was linked to an arms procurement scandal.

The hearings began with the prosecution arguing for a long adjournment, possibly to next year.

Zuma's defence is expected to press for a speedy trial or an outright dismissal of the case.

Zuma and his supporters fear a delayed trial could hurt his chances of succeeding Mbeki at a leadership conference of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) in December next year.

The case is Zuma's most dangerous challenge in a career that took him from the frontlines of the anti-apartheid struggle to the country's second highest office.

Zuma's decline began last year after he was accused of having a corrupt relationship with former aide, Schabir Shaik, and of accepting a bribe from French arms company Thint. Both deny the charges.

Zuma was acquitted at a trial in May of raping a female family friend who is HIV-positive.

REUTERS MS PC1611