Johannesburg: Former South African president Jacob Zuma was charged with corruption on Friday over a $US2.5 billion state arms deal, a stunning judicial ruling on a continent where political 'Big Men' rarely face their day in court.

Zuma, who was forced to resign by the ruling African National Congress (ANC) last month, was at the centre of the deal to buy European military kit that has cast a shadow over politics in Africa's most industrialised economy for years.

Chief state prosecutor Shaun Abrahams told a media conference that Zuma's attempts to head off the charges that have been hanging over him for more than a decade had failed.

The 75-year-old disputed all the allegations against him, he added.

"After consideration of the matter, I am of the view that there are reasonable prospects of successful prosecution of Mr Zuma on the charges listed in the indictment," Abrahams said.