Court rejects NGO application
2006-03-27 15:03
Johannesburg - The Johannesburg High Court has turned down an application by three non-governmental organisations to appear as Friends of the Court in the rape trial of former deputy president Jacob Zuma.
The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation, the Centre for Applied Legal Studies and the Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre had wanted to present evidence on the impact of rape and repeated abuse.
They believed these areas had not been covered by the State's evidence.
"I cannot see how the applicants can assist me in any way on matters I am to decide on a factual basis," Judge Willem van der Merwe found on Monday afternoon.
The NGO's brought their application to present further information after the State had rested its case.
Both the State and Zuma's legal team opposed the application.
Van der Merwe said Zuma's lawyer Kemp J Kemp had rightly pointed
out that there would be a considerable delay in the trial if the
application were granted.
He also said it might mean that the defence would have to change
its strategy, which meant the complainant would maybe have to be
called to the witness box again.
"She would be in a position we all want her out (of)," said Van
der Merwe.
The judge said the latest the three organisations should have
applied for permission to testify was when the State asked for an
adjournment of about seven days before closing its case.
He also said he had no doubt the State would advance argument to
strengthen its case at the end of the trial.
- SAPA