Zuma corruption charges are dropped
The man expected to become South Africa's next president has said his conscience is clear after corruption charges against him were withdrawn.
In his first comments since prosecutors announced their decision on Monday, Jacob Zuma told a news conference that he has "not committed any crime against the state or the people of South Africa."
Earlier in the day, a judge formally endorsed prosecutors' decision to withdraw the charges against Zuma, who is the presidential candidate for the governing ANC party in April 22 elections.
He is almost certain to win given the party's dominance.
Prosecutors have said that their decision had nothing to do with Zuma's guilt or innocence.
They said it was withdrawn because of prosecutorial misconduct.