Zuma judge 'will forego recess'

2006-03-28 22:51

Johannesburg - Judge Willem van der Merwe, who is presiding in former deputy president Jacob Zuma's rape trial, says he is prepared to sacrifice the High Court's two-week recess, rather than break the trial's momentum.

The judge has been at pains to assure the court that he is available to stay late or begin early whenever the defence or prosecution asks for it.

He told the court on Tuesday that, although the court's two-week recess started on Friday, he was prepared to continue working if necessary.

He said this during an application for the case against Zuma to be discharged.

This prompted Zuma's lawyer, Kemp J Kemp, to stand up and ask: "As long as that is not an indication of a failure of our application?" providing the court with brief light relief.

The State is expected to wrap up its reply to Kemp's application on Wednesday.

Earlier, Judge Van der Merwe reacted to a claim by Kemp that Zuma's accuser had phoned Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils after the alleged rape because she knew he was part of the anti-Zuma camp in the divided African National Congress.

The judge said: "If she was part and parcel of a political conspiracy, isn't it a high price to pay to be a complainant... for any woman to stand in court... and give evidence on rape must be a horrific experience."

Kemp replied: "My lord, people have done worse things than that in conspiracies."

Zuma is alleged to have raped a family friend at his home in Johannesburg on November 2 last year.

Saw a gun in the crowd

Meanwhile, Cecile Nel of Beeld reports that "someone with a firearm" was apparently the reason why a car in the convoy taking Jacob Zuma to and from Johannesburg High Court had to stop for a moment.

A bystander said on Tuesday one of the black cars turned back in the direction of the spectators, and stopped.

He said some of Zuma's armed guards jumped out of the car.

"The spectators definitely scattered and ran away in fear of the bodyguards' firearms," he said.

Saw gun and small camera

Zuma's personal assistant, Ranjeni Munusamy, said on Tuesday: "The commander in the car saw a civilian with a firearm and a small camera among the crowd of people."

She said Zuma's bodyguards could not find the person.

Police said the matter had been reported.

Senior superintendent Mary Martins Engelbrecht said: "We investigated, but could not find the person nor get a description."

- SAPA