Mbeki accepts judgment

2006-05-08 16:42

Johannesburg - President Thabo Mbeki accepted the not guilty verdict in the trial of Jacob Zuma for rape, his office said on Monday afternoon.

"The Presidency respects the independence of the judiciary and accepts the verdict," Mbeki's spokesman Mukoni Ratshitanda said.

He declined to comment further at this stage.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) expressed disappointment at the acquittal of the former deputy president.

"Whilst the NPA is disappointed with the judgment, it respects and accepts it," the authority said in a media statement.

It said the court proceedings and evidence led had vindicated the police's decision to investigate the allegation of rape against Zuma.

"Furthermore, the court also vindicated the State's contention that the accused had a case to answer in court when it rejected the application for charges against Zuma to be dismissed in terms of Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act," the NPA said.

"The acquittal, together with the manner in which the proceedings were conducted, should erase all doubt that the State acted in the best interest of justice and the complainant, and that allegations of a conspiracy involving the NPA in this matter have been without merit."

The NPA called on all concerned to allow the complainant to resume her life in peace and security, respecting her constitutional right to have laid the complaint against the accused.

Members of the public, especially the media, should not treat her in a manner that would discourage future victims of crime to come forward, the NPA said.

Judge Willem van der Merwe acquitted Zuma of rape in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday afternoon, saying he accepted Zuma's version that consensual sex had taken place.

The Democratic Alliance accepted the judgement, saying the law had taken its course.

"However, as the judge himself has commented, this trial has been as much about sexual politics as about rape.

"The political fallout of this verdict will be significant though as yet undetermined," the party said.

"Even though he has been found not guilty Zuma has emerged with his credibility as a leader severely damaged... He has demonstrated some of the worst aspects of patriarchy and sexism, in a most irresponsible manner.

"As a previous head of South Africa's Aids Council he has spread disinformation about combating HIV/Aids," the party said.

The DA said that more or less everything Zuma has said and done in the course of the trial had done South Africa's image a huge disfavour.

"He could best serve South Africa by sinking into obscurity until his next appearance in court on charges of corruption and fraud."

The party called Zuma's sleeping with a family friend half his age "foolish" and "shameless".

"If anything good has come from this sordid and sorry saga it is that it has sensitised the government and the public to the urgent need for reform of the law and legal process relating to rape cases."

- SAPA