Kasrils breaks silence on Zuma

2006-05-11 20:14

Johannesburg - Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils publicly discussed his role in the Jacob Zuma rape allegation for the first time on Thursday.

His coments came after the African National Congress Youth League's announcement that it would "probe" his involvement in the affair.

On Monday, Zuma was found not guilty of raping a 31-year-old woman who regarded herself a family friend. The judge found that they had had consensual sex.

Kasrils wrote in a statement on Sapa's PR wire: "The complainant in the Jacob Zuma rape trial called me on November 4 2005 to say she had been raped by Jacob Zuma,".

"She approached me in my personal capacity, and not by virtue of my official position as minister for intelligence services, because I had known her and her family in exile.

"I told her that my involvement would politicise the matter and would therefore not be in her interest.

'Didn't aggravate the situation'

"This is clearly stated in my affidavit. It is clear from my affidavit, which was requested by the prosecution and made available to the defence, that I did nothing to aggravate the situation, I did nothing that was prejudicial to Jacob Zuma and I was not in any way part of any conspiracy. I am not a significant part of the sequence of events."

He continued: "I wish to quote the salient statement from my affidavit which is as follows: 'I explained to her that I was not in a position to take up this issue since I was concerned that to do so would politicise the matter.

"I informed her further that I was not in a position to give her any advice and that she should do what she felt was correct in the circumstances.'"

Probing for 'an evil hand'

Earlier at a press conference ANCYL president Fikile Mbalula said: "The ANCYL will further probe and satisfy itself about rumours that she was paid and/or bribed.

"In this context, we must probe whether there was no evil hand led by people such as malume (Uncle) Ronnie.. .."

Mbalula said the ANCYL had to prove beyond doubt its belief that the woman, whom the league leaders often referred to a "Lucifer", was bribed to lay a charge against Zuma.

However he could not say who bribed the woman or how much she was paid.

"She has to explain to all South Africans... is it true that she's got all that particular money.

"The NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) in all its powers has got the right to probe that particular question," he said.

"She could not have acted alone in that particular conspiracy.

"We are worried about malume Ronnie's participation in all of this as a senior leader of the ANC because a logical step Ronnie Kasrils should have taken was... to confront JZ (Jacob Zuma) about it and he did not do that, and instead out of that certain things were actually levelled and it is now history that there was a court case."

Accuser believed to have left SA

The ANCYL planned to meet Kasrils to ask what his role was in the matter. Depending on his answer, they may ask him to apologise, he said.

Regarding reports that Zuma's accuser had left the country, ANCYL spokesman Zizi Kodwa claimed she was leaving because her "handlers" - people the league thinks were in a conspiracy against Zuma - were worried that if she stayed she might "unleash information" which would put them in danger.

The league reiterated its support for Zuma as South Africa's next president.

The ANC's top structures are due to meet on Sunday to discuss Zuma's willingness to resume official deputy presidency duties in the party.

He withdrew from official duties when he was charged with rape in December.

- SAPA