South Africa's ex-president Zuma to face corruption inquiry today

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Former South African president Jacob Zuma will be questioned at a public inquiry into state graft today, a dramatic fall from grace for a politician who has cast a long shadow over the country’s politics for the past decade. Zuma, ousted by the governing African National Congress (ANC) in February 2018, will be asked to respond to allegations that he allowed cronies to plunder state resources and influence senior government appointments during his nine years in power. He has consistently denied wrongdoing, saying the allegations against him are politically motivated. Zuma's lawyer said in a letter to the inquiry last month that Zuma believed it was prejudiced against him. Zuma is expected to give evidence from Monday to Friday, testimony that will be broadcast live on South African television to millions of viewers. It is a rare example of an African leader being brought to book soon after losing power.