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800 gather in support of Zuma
08/05/2006 13:38 - (SA)
Johannesburg - While thousands were expected outside the high court on Monday morning, police estimated that only 800 to 1 000 Jacob Zuma supporters had arrived by 11:00.
Police spokesperson senior superintendent Mary Martins-Engelbrecht said a smaller pocket of about 200 was at the nearby Beyers Naude Square.
It was believed that the former deputy president would address supporters after his verdict.
Zuma was on trial for the alleged rape of a 31-year-old HIV-positive family friend at his home in Forest Town, Johannesburg, on November 2 last year.
Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani 'taught Zuma'
Anti-rape activists held a separate demonstration, involving a group of less than 50 women. Some were dressed in kangas, the attire which the trial heard was an indication that the alleged rape victim had been inviting sex.
Metres away from them, in the pro-Zuma camp, a woman dressed in Xhosa traditional attire, including face painting, burnt mphepho (herbs).
Euginia Yantsho said: "We do this in our culture to speak with our ancestors.
"I am going to ask Chief Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo, Chris Hani and Joe Slovo, the people who taught Zuma how to take care of people..."
Yantsho added that she wanted former president Nelson Mandela to "say something" regarding the trial.
"Mandela also taught Zuma how to care for people." She added that Zuma was "a good man who loves everybody".
- SAPA
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