Few issues have threatened to divide society as deeply as allegations that former deputy president Jacob Zuma was corrupt. While the implications are shocking, the charges to be laid against Zuma in a Durban court later this week ironically will help to mature our young society.

The National Prosecuting Authority's belated decision to prosecute Zuma will help to restore confidence in the processes of law. It also will send out an invaluable and crystal clear message that nobody, absolutely nobody *1, is above the law.

Zuma's absence from either the dock or the witness box in the recent Schabir Shaik case was remarkable, given the severity of the allegations and the close relationship between these two men.

It was indeed strange that the then prosecuting authority head Bulelani Ngcuka told the world in 2003 that although there was a "prima facie" case of corruption against Zuma, prospects of success were not strong enough to proceed against him.

This statement effectively implicated the man, unfortunately without giving him an opportunity to clear his name. He now he has that opportunity.

Some Zuma supporters have attacked the decision to prosecute Shaik, and now Zuma, as being politically motivated. There were thinly-veiled suggestions that the Shaik case was politically orchestrated to remove or at least neutralise Zuma as a contender for the presidency, which becomes available when Thabo Mbeki steps down in 2009. These allegations will now be tested indirectly in the case against Zuma.

Zuma's removal not only from the deputy presidency but also from ANC working committees will leave a huge vacuum, especially in the absence of a clear successor. A Markinor survey released yesterday showed no clear public preferences for a successor. The next highest ranked possible candidate, Cyril Ramaphosa, was favoured by only 10% of South Africans.

However, politics is very flexible. Others will soon emerge to fill the void, should Zuma fail to return. Another positive spin-off would be closer interrogation of the ethical qualities of candidates running for high office *2.

With acknowledgement to The Mercury.

*1 Sure?

*2 All of them.