SA's Zuma testifies in rape case

BBC News
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Johannesburg (South Africa):
Former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma has begun testifying in his defence against a charge of rape.
Mr Zuma, 63, denies the charge, saying he had consensual sex with the woman, a family friend, at his home last year. About 100 supporters demonstrated outside the Johannesburg High Court, fewer than on previous occasions.
Mr Zuma - previously seen as a possible future president - retains considerable popularity. His supporters see the charge as a political conspiracy. Speaking in Zulu, Mr Zuma began his testimony by talking of his involvement in the struggle against apartheid.
He said he had met the complainant's father through their involvement in the ANC Youth League in 1958.
Jacob Zuma's supporters say the trial is political But he denied the woman's claim that they had a "father-daughter" relationship and said she had sent him flirtatious text messages. Last week, the defence failed in an application to have the rape charge dropped.
Apr 03, 2006