Daryl Peense, 34, was found guilty by a magistrate in the eastern city of
Durban.
The court heard the racehorse owner deliberately spilt a glass of whisky on Mr
Zuma, 69, from a balcony as the politician walked underneath him at a race
meeting last July.
Spokeswoman Natasha Ramkisson, a spokesman for South
Africa's National Prosecuting Authority, said: "This man denied
any offence but after the court heard evidence on the case he was found
guilty of assault.
"He is out on bail and was ordered to return to court on September 7 for
sentencing."
Peense spent two days in a police cell after he was arrested last year during
South Africa's annual Durban July race meeting.
He was charged with assault after one of Mr Zuma's bodyguards told police he
saw the entrepreneur deliberately throw his drink at the African National
Congress leader.
Mr Zuma had been attending the society event with an entourage and was walking
around the VIP enclosure when Peense spotted him from a first floor private
box.
The court heard one of the president's companions used his jacket to deflect
the liquid as it fell from above.
Peense, from Alberton near Johannesburg, admitted spilling his Johnnie Walker
Black Label whisky but claimed he had done so accidentally.
In a statement read to the court during a previous hearing, the betting
agent's lawyer Jimmy Howse said he had drunk around 12 beers and five double
whiskies by the time of the 4pm incident.
He said: "A small quantity of the whisky and water which he was drinking
spilt from his glass.
"The accused was drunk at the time and his drink spilt accidentally.
"None of the drink spilt [on] the president
"The accused didn't intend to cause injury to the president nor to impair
his bodily integrity in any way."
The court had earlier rejected an attempt by Peense to have the assault charge
dismissed.
Officials today indicated that Peense was expected to receive a fine when he
returns for sentencing in September.
