ANCYL slams abuse accusation
2006-02-15 14:21
Johannesburg - It is a lie that the complainant in Jacob Zuma's rape case was victimised during his court hearing this week, the ANC Youth League said on Wednesday.
"This is not only an unadulterated lie, but a cheap attempt at scoring popularity points," ANCYL spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said.
The SA Human Rights Commission and People Opposing Women Abuse have raised concerns about the treatment and safety of the woman.
This follows reporters seeing some people, who were protesting outside the Johannesburg High Court in support of Zuma, throwing stones at a woman who they mistook for the complainant.
Kodwa said Zuma's supporters had been well behaved and "no incident coming close" to what the HRC, the CGE (Commission for Gender Equality) and Powa describe occurred.
On Monday Powa held a small protest outside the court. They were drowned out by thousands of Zuma's supporters, as the two groups exchanged insults outside the building.
The Powa supporters, singing in Zulu, asked in song: "Why are you playing around with your penis, now you have caused a problem."
A pro-Zuma supporter, bearing a traditional shield and three sticks, pointed at them, chanting "Look at those bitches".
Kodwa said the ANCYL went to the court to stand by Zuma in his hour of need, and "insinuations... suggest that some sort of crime has been committed by supporting Zuma".
"We will not be intimidated by cheap political theatrics disguised as concern for the victim, when the underlying agenda is clearly a political one that seeks to isolate Jacob Zuma and project him as guilty before any court of law has proclaimed as such," he said.
ANCYL's support never been in doubt
Kodwa said the ANCYL's support for the woman had never been in doubt.
"Indeed, as the dictates of justice demand, the alleged victim must prove her case in court if she truly believes she has a case, and not seek cheap popularity by abusing public sympathy."
He said it was rather unfortunate the organisations "chose this precise moment to cast aspersions on Zuma supporters, while their silence was rather too loud on numerous occasions when others fell victim to similar crimes as alleged in this case".
Their conduct was at best opportunistic, and at worst malicious.
The ANCYL also suggested Powa familiarise itself with the meaning of the song "Leth'uMshini Wami" (bring me my machine gun), which has its roots in the liberation struggle.
Powa reportedly said the song, which was sung often at the hearing, was not appropriate at a rape trial and indicated their was no way to ensure the woman's safety.
"To suggest that the song insinuates that the complainant's safety cannot be ensured is utter rubbish that defies logic," he said.
- SAPA