Rape trial turns into focus of ANC succession fight
RW Johnson
Times Online, UK
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Johannesburg (South Africa):
Seldom can a rape trial have been conducted in such an atmosphere of violence and intimidation.
Every morning the streets outside the High Court where Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s former deputy president, is on trial for rape are cleared by police carrying pistols, rifles and machineguns.
The pro-Zuma crowd outside hurls abuse at the alleged victim and, although her identity is supposed to be secret, they carry pictures of her which they set alight to cries of “burn the bitch”.
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See Also:
Dramatic first week of Zuma trial
South Africa tunes In to a heated trial
Zuma accuser 'treated at mental institution'
Nobody influenced Zuma rape charge'
_____________________
For Zuma’s supporters, almost all Zulus bused in from KwaZulu-Natal, see the trial as part of a conspiracy by President Thabo Mbeki to ensure that he will never lead the African National Congress (ANC) and succeed to the presidency.
This perspective is shared by many who do not support Zuma, for the determination of the state to nail him both on the rape charge and in a corruption trial he faces soon afterwards has been extraordinary.
Zuma, who declares that he believes himself to be the victim of a conspiracy, does little to calm the crowd when he arrives to give one of his standard renditions of his theme song, Bring Me My Machinegun.
Mar 12, 2006
RW Johnson
Times Online, UK
_____________
Johannesburg (South Africa):
Seldom can a rape trial have been conducted in such an atmosphere of violence and intimidation.
Every morning the streets outside the High Court where Jacob Zuma, South Africa’s former deputy president, is on trial for rape are cleared by police carrying pistols, rifles and machineguns.
The pro-Zuma crowd outside hurls abuse at the alleged victim and, although her identity is supposed to be secret, they carry pictures of her which they set alight to cries of “burn the bitch”.
__________________
See Also:
Dramatic first week of Zuma trial
South Africa tunes In to a heated trial
Zuma accuser 'treated at mental institution'
Nobody influenced Zuma rape charge'
_____________________
For Zuma’s supporters, almost all Zulus bused in from KwaZulu-Natal, see the trial as part of a conspiracy by President Thabo Mbeki to ensure that he will never lead the African National Congress (ANC) and succeed to the presidency.
This perspective is shared by many who do not support Zuma, for the determination of the state to nail him both on the rape charge and in a corruption trial he faces soon afterwards has been extraordinary.
Zuma, who declares that he believes himself to be the victim of a conspiracy, does little to calm the crowd when he arrives to give one of his standard renditions of his theme song, Bring Me My Machinegun.
Mar 12, 2006
