Joy as Zuma walks free

2006-05-08 22:30

Johannesburg - There was jubilation and joy for Jacob Zuma and his supporters as he left Johannesburg High Court a free man after his rape trial, disappointment for women's-rights groups and animosity towards the media on Monday.

The former deputy president had been charged with raping a woman at his home last year.

When Judge Willem van der Merwe ended a marathon summary with the words, "The accused is found not guilty", Zuma's supporters jumped up and started shrieking.

They stood on court benches, some sobbing, and started singing, ""uZuma yo my president". The hubbub stopped suddenly when Judge Van der Merwe asked that they wait until he left.

As he left, they said "sh sh sh" and, as soon as he walked out, Zuma was surrounded and hugged.

The man at the centre of the trial saved the longest hug for his advocate, Kemp J Kemp, who had produced an exhaustive defence during the trial that started on February 13.

Kemp would only say, "I am happy," when asked for comment.

Outside the court, one of Zuma's most-loyal supporters, Euginia Yantsho, said: "Where's Kemp, where's Kemp? I just want to give him a mwah mwah."

'Insulted me and called me names'

Speaking in Zulu after the verdict, Zuma stood with his daughter, Duduzile, and told supporters at Beyers Naude Square: "I am happy today."

People hung from trees and stood on top of police vans to get a better view of Zuma, who castigated the media.

"They insulted me and called me names."

Without identifying anyone, he said: "Others were not doing it on their own, but were sent by some people somewhere."

Zuma always maintained his innocence and had said there was a political conspiracy to remove him from running for the country's next president.

Jacob Zuma Trust chairperson Don Mkhwanazi said: "The judge is amazing. This is very encouraging for South Africa, because we cannot allow ourselves to doubt the justice system."

Unprotected sex 'totally unacceptable'

Judge Van der Merwe had told the court about November 2 last year: "I find that consensual sex took place between the complainant and the accused in the main bedroom."

But, he said it was "totally unacceptable" for a man to have unprotected sex with a woman who was not his regular partner, especially knowing that she was HIV-positive.

"Had Rudyard Kipling known of this case at the time he wrote his poem, If, he might have added the following: 'And if you can control your body and your sexual urges, then you are a man, my son'," said the judge.

He added "I will not even comment" on Zuma's evidence that he had a shower after the intercourse to lessen his chances of contracting the virus.

Judge Van der Merwe said Zuma's evidence, as a whole, could be believed as it was reasonably true.

The trial was unique, with unique features, and should not be regarded as discouragement to women who had been raped, as they were different to the accused.

Thabo Mbeki accepts verdict

He said the case was a good example why pressure groups should not jump to conclusions before hearing all the evidence.

President Thabo Mbeki accepted the acquittal.

His spokesperson, Mukoni Ratshitanda, said: "The presidency respects the independence of the judiciary and accepts the verdict." He declined to comment further.

The national prosecuting authority expressed disappointment at the acquittal, but respected and accepted it, said the NPA.

Prosecutor Charin de Beer picked up her bag and left the court quickly when the verdict was made known.

The tripartite alliance welcomed the judgment.

The African National Congress, the SA Communist Party and the Congress of SA Trade Unions said: "We call on all South Africans to accept and respect the judgment handed down today.

Special message of support

"The judgment means that Jacob Zuma is innocent of the charges levelled against him, and, as the judge indicated, was falsely accused."

It continued: "The alliance extends a special message of support and empathy to both families involved, who, during a distressing time, have had to endure the public exposure of personal details that would under other circumstances have remained private."

After Zuma was charged with rape last year, his participation in the leading structures of the ANC was suspended. However, he remained deputy president of the party.

As supporters streamed to Beyers Naude Square, they jeered the small group of rape-awareness campaigners.

Dawn Cavanagh of the Gender Aids Forum, which had joined the One-In-Nine Campaign, said:. "We are really sad and disappointed, and not particularly surprised," said

"We have a conviction rate of probably under 7% in this country."

When Zuma left, the crowd, some armed with pangas, ran through central Johannesburg chanting "Thabo Mbeki, where is the bitch?".

One of the marchers approached journalists waving his panga, saying : "Wena unamanga (you are liars)".

Judge Van der Merwe ordered that the complainant's identity could not be revealed without written permission from her and the directorate of public prosecutions.

Zuma will address a press conference at Talk Radio 702 on Tuesday.

- SAPA