South African prosecutors have dropped corruption charges against ruling party leader Jacob Zuma.
Mr Zuma is expected to become president of South Africa.
Chief prosecutor Mokotedi Mpshe said the former head of the country's elite anti-crime unit had manipulated the legal system and cited 'abuses of process' uncovered in taped conversations for the decision.
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The South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority said the case was now closed.
'In light of the above, I have come to the difficult conclusion that it is neither possible, nor desirable for the NPA to continue with the prosecution of Mr Zuma,' Mr Mpshe, acting head of the National Prosecuting Authority, told a news conference.
Mr Zuma's African National Congress is widely expected to win a 22 April election and choose him as president of South Africa.
Dropping the corruption, fraud, money laundering and racketeering charges ends a case that has been going on for eight years.
Mr Mpshe called for an investigation into the abuses of process but said there was no conclusive evidence that former President Thabo Mbeki was involved.
Mr Zuma has said he has been the victim of a political conspiracy while his opponents have accused the ANC of back-room deals to clear his name.
Mr Zuma denies wrongdoing.
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