Former deputy president Jacob Zuma and his lawyer were to meet on Monday to decide what to do about a weekend newspaper report that claimed rape allegations had been made against Zuma.
At the same time, the newspaper posted a notice on its website saying it stands by its story ”100%”.
Zuma, who has denied the allegation, and his lawyer, Michael Hully, were expected to meet later on Monday to decide whether to take steps against the newspaper and how to proceed with the matter.
”I am meeting with my client later to catch our breath and for me to advise him what he needs to do in the circumstance,” Hulley said. ”We should know by Wednesday what we will do.”
The Sunday Times reported that an old family friend of Zuma’s had been raped while at his Forest Town home on Wednesday November 2 and, on the insistence of a doctor, had reported it on Friday November 4.
The Sunday Times statement read: ”The Sunday Times is 100% certain that our story that there is a police investigation into a rape complaint against former deputy president Jacob Zuma is accurate.”
It continued: ”The police have launched an investigation into the matter and it is also receiving attention at the highest levels of the ANC [African National Congress].
”Before publication, the story was subjected to the Sunday Times‘s strictest tests and it would not have seen the light of day if we had the slightest doubt about the existence of the investigation.
”We did not name the alleged victim as the law precludes us from doing so and we will abide by that in all our reporting and commentary on the matter.”
Hulley said he has still not been able to find out at which police station the complaint has reportedly been laid.
”I have no idea,” he said.
The police repeated their earlier refusal to comment on any aspects of the story.
”The position of the [South African Police Service] has not altered and I will not be responding to your questions,” Director Sally de Beer said in reply to the South African Press Association’s written questions.
”I work in terms of a police standing order which instructs media-liaison officers on policy for media liaison,” she said. — Sapa