South Africa's President Zuma should face corruption charges over a 1999 arms deal, the High Court has ruled.

      The charges were dropped just weeks before the 2009 election which led to Jacob Zuma becoming president.Ruling on the case brought by the opposition Democratic Alliance, the judge said the decision to drop the charges was "irrational".The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) now has to decide if it wants to reinstate the charges.Mr Zuma always denied the allegations which are linked to the government arms deal worth billions of dollars.Last week, a judge-led commission of inquiry found no evidence of corruption or fraud by any government officials at the time."Today is a great victory for the rule of law and ultimately we believe that Jacob Zuma must face prosecution and this judgement certainly affirms the view that we've always held," Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane said after the ruling."I congratulate my colleagues who've worked exceptionally hard on this case; it's been a long battle."