South African media is reporting President Jacob Zuma's lawyers have filed papers detailing why charges of corruption should not be reinstated against him.

They had been given until midnight today to do so.

The charges relate to a controversial arms deal in the late 1990s which was worth around $2bn.

They were dropped in 2009 on the basis that they were politically motivated.

But last year the Supreme Court of Appeal said that decision was "irrational".

If the charges go ahead it is likely to increase pressure for President Zuma to step down before the end of his term in 2019.

He is due to step down as president of the ANC in December, and many analysts say he is trying to influence who takes over from him as leader of the ruling party.

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