UPDATED: Zuma’s corruption trial resumes in South Africa

Hundreds of former South Africa president Jacob Zuma’s supporters have gathered outside Pietermaritzburg High Court where his corruption trial has started following multiple delays.

The once-celebrated hero of the anti-apartheid struggle is expected to plead not guilty to charges of fraud and racketeering in a case that dates back to an arms deal in the 1990s.

Mr Zuma is also facing fresh allegations of corruption and could be imprisoned for contempt of court in a separate matter.

The former president claims he’s the victim of political witch hunt that the nation’s courts are working for his political enemies.

Mr Zuma’s son, Duduzane Zuma, told newsmen that the former president has always been ready for the trial.

Meanwhile, the South Africa former President has pleaded not guilty to all 18 counts of racketeering, corruption, fraud, tax evasion and money laundering charges at the start of his trial.

The charges relate to events more than two decades old in the early days of South African democracy.

Indeed the former president insists he is the victim of a far wider conspiracy involving his enemies in the governing African National Congress (ANC) and far beyond.

But there is now overwhelming evidence of the corruption that flourished during his decade in power, and many South Africans are simply keen to see justice being done.