South Africa's Zuma graft case delayed by funding issue

South Africa's ex-president Jacob Zuma appeared in court yesterday ahead of a corruption trial, raising questions about ballooning legal costs before addressing adoring crowds outside who condemned his prosecution.

In front of Durban's stone-fronted High Court, thousands of Zuma supporters sang anti-apartheid struggle songs, flew flags bearing Zuma's face and chanted his name as he was swept into court flanked by tight security.

"We are not afraid to face this case," Zuma, who wore a dark charcoal suit, red patterned tie and white shirt, told supporters. "A person is not guilty until the court says so."

He sang and danced along enthusiastically to a rendition of his signature soundtrack "Umshini Wam", a campaign song from the apartheid era that means "Bring me my machine gun".

Police equiped with shields, water cannon and armoured vehicles mounted a major security operation outside the court, but the hearing and speeches were peaceful.

Zuma, 76, who was forced to resign in February, has been charged with 16 counts of graft linked to an arms deal from before he became president and is expected to face trial from November.

"It is very wrong to tell the people of this country that president Jacob Zuma is guilty before he has been judged," a firebrand speaker told the animated crowd. "We believe in Jacob Zuma."

Zuma is accused of taking bribes from French arms maker Thales over a contract worth several billion dollars during his time as a provincial economy minister and later as deputy ANC president.

Thales, which supplied naval vessels as part of the deal, also faces charges of corruption and a company representative from France appeared in court alongside Zuma.

Zuma is accused of illicitly pocketing 4,072,499.85 rand -- 280,000 euros, $340,000 at today's rates -- from 783 payments handled by Schabir Shaik, a businessman who acted as his financial adviser.

After about 30 minutes of pre-trial legal discussions in a packed courtroom of the Durban High Court, Judge Mjabuliseni Madondo postponed the case to July 27.

"I'm here to support him because he's innocent until proven guilty -- he is not treated fairly," said Sandra Ndlamlenza, 43, who travelled to court to back Zuma.