African National Congress (ANC) leader Jacob Zuma will stand trial for corruption, prosecutors said on the day before, casting doubt on his chance of becoming South Africa?s president. Zuma was elected leader of the ruling ANC last month, beating President Thabo Mbeki.

Prosecuting Zuma could deepen divisions in the party and derail his hopes of succeeding Mbeki, who must step down in 2009. ?An indictment has been issued for trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court commencing on August 4 2008,? said the statement from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

?However the prosecution is ready to proceed at the earliest date on which the court may be able to accommodate this case, should the defence so wish,? it said in its first public statement on the case.

Zuma?s lawyer Michael Hulley said on Friday the trial would begin on Augist 14. He was not immediately available for comment.

Hulley had said Zuma was being charged with racketeering, money laundering, fraud and corruption. He said the charges were meant to smear Zuma?s name, coming barely two weeks after Zuma?s resounding victory to take the helm of the ANC.