I hate rapists - Zuma

2006-05-18 22:00

Bheki Mbanjwa

Pietermaritzburg - "I hate rapists, izishimane (guys who do not have girlfriends)," was how Jacob Zuma greeted about 5 000 supporters who came to welcome him as African National Congress deputy president at Esikhawini sports ground on Thursday.

Zuma stepped down as ANC deputy after being accused of rape.

He has since been acquitted of the charge by the Johannesburg High Court, and reinstated as the party's deputy president.

Speaking at the rally, Zuma attacked the media, whom he accused of finding him guilty even before the trial went to court.

"The media wanted to influence the outcome of the trial, nobody wanted to wait for the court's judgment on the matter... but, fortunately enough, Judge Willem Van der Merwe was prepared to listen and at the end I was found not guilty," he said.

Crowd rebuked for anti-Mbeki song

During his speech Zuma was interrupted by a malfunction in the PA system, and during that moment the crowd started to sing an anti-Mbeki song.

Zuma quickly remarked about the song.

"I did not hear the song, but I heard my name and that of the president.

"This is very wrong, we shouldn't sing about the president, and we should not believe the lie created by the media that the ANC has two camps," he said.

Supporters thanked

Zuma thanked his supporters for standing by him during the rape trial, as well as ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula, who has been one of Zuma's most outspoken defenders.

"I want to express my gratitude to you, as you have shown that you are prepared to defend the truth. One of the lessons to be learnt from my trial is that ordinary South Africans are prepared to defend the Constitution and democracy by all means.

"There are some of my comrades whom I have known for years, but they were nowhere to be seen during my time of need, but it is you who stood by me and for that I thank you," Zuma said before leading the crowd with his trademark song, uMshini wami (Bring my machine [gun]).

- The Witness