Mr Zuma hit back and so did other ANC stalwarts, labelling the investigation part of a "dirty tricks campaign" driven by sinister motives.

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He had alleged a "dirty tricks" campaign, which he said prompted Wrexham party members to drop him from the election line-up after 20 years in politics.

BBC: Marek to stand as independent

In the early 1990s, Sir Richard won damages and an apology from BA at the High Court for a "dirty tricks" campaign, in which BA allegedly poached passengers, staff and gave negative stories about the Virgin founder to the press.

BBC: Sir Richard Branson and Dita von Teese on a Virgin aeroplane

At the outset of Watergate, long before it became a constant headline, he and his staff started the Senate investigations, fully apace with the Washington Post, and unearthed the "dirty tricks project" of the 1972 Campaign.

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