S. African singing trio fuels Zuma controversy with newly released CD

Johannesburg: A trio of traditional Zulu songstresses has hit the big time and ignited controversy with a tribute to former South African deputy president Jacob Zuma, who has been charged with rape in a politically divisive case.

Singing group Izingane Zoma have sold 50,000 copies of their album Msholozi (Zuma's clan name) as South Africans snap up a CD with lyrics saying the people want Zuma as their next leader, but the government is keeping him from power.

The album also calls for charges against the popular politician to be dropped.

"The sales have been tremendous in a very short time. We expect it to sell at least 100,000 by June because of all the controversy about the trial," said a spokeswoman for Gallo Records, which is distributing the album.

Once seen as the successor to President Thabo Mbeki in 2009, Zuma was sacked last year over corruption allegations, sparking a crisis in the ruling African National Congress and protests from his supporters.

He has since been charged with corruption and rape but denies both charges and has accused ANC insiders of waging a shadowy campaign to keep him from power. His rape trial was due to begin on Monday but was postponed until March 6 after the presiding judge resigned.

The distributors did brisk business selling the CD at the discounted price of 60 rand (Dh36) in front of the Johannesburg high court this week.

But not everyone is impressed with Msholozi.

South Africa's national broadcaster SABC removed the title track from the playlist of its Zulu-language Ukhozi FM radio station for fear it could be read as "incitement", drawing accusations of anti-Zuma bias from Zuma allies.