Zuma Aids comment 'not policy'

2006-05-12 13:56

Cape Town - Evidence in court should not be seen as a policy statement, particularly on Aids, the African National Congress and its alliance partners said on Friday in welcoming Jacob Zuma's acquittal on a rape charge.

The media and other commentators should respect the court and due process of law, and not "proceed from a position of ignorance", read a statement in the ANC's weekly online newsletter.

They must "understand that evidence led in a trial should not be taken as policy statements, particularly regarding the issue of HIV and Aids".

The alliance was apparently referring to media reports on a statement by Zuma during his recent trial that he took a shower to reduce the risk of infection after having sex with his HIV-positive accuser.

On Thursday, Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang accused the media of sowing confusion around the issue by having "sensationalised only that bit" of the former deputy president's evidence.

Her director-general, Thami Mseleku, said it was not Zuma's statement "per se" that undermined the strategy, but rather the media's "hammering" on it.

The ANC and its alliance partners, the SA Communist Party and Congress of SA Trade Unions, "welcomed and accepted" Zuma's acquittal in Friday's letter.

The trial, they said, confirmed that South Africa's democratic institutions were on a firm footing.

"The alliance welcomed the fact that the case was conducted in line with key tenets of South African justice. These included that no-one shall be above the law."

Transparent process

The verdict was reached after an exhaustive and transparent process, the statement read.

It called on all South Africans to accept and respect the judgment.

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

Support for due legal process and respect for the judgment was part of a common responsibility to uphold and protect South Africa's constitutional order.

"The alliance commended its members... and the people of South Africa... for heeding the call to allow the legal process to run its course, to respect the rights and dignity of those involved, and to exercise discipline, patience and respect."

The statement made no mention of Zuma supporters burning pictures of the complainant outside the court and referring to her as a "bitch".

It reaffirmed the alliance's abhorrence of rape and other forms of violence against women, and its support for the severest possible punishment for offenders.

"We are relieved that this trial has come to a conclusion, as it has been distressing not only for the families involved, but also for the alliance and the country as a whole," the alliance said.

- SAPA