The African National Congress on Wednesday reiterated its position that the rape allegations facing its deputy president are serious and have to be dealt with in terms of the law.
”The African National Congress wishes to restate its position with respect to allegations of rape against its deputy president, Jacob Zuma: … These are serious allegations, that must be dealt with in terms of the law, by the appropriate institutions of the state,” it said.
This was a repetition of the position it took at a media briefing on the outcome of a weekend meeting of the party’s hierarchy, which was addressed by Zuma.
The party respects the rule of law, including the principle of presumption of innocence, and recognises that the rights of both the alleged victim and alleged perpetrator have to be respected and upheld, it continued.
It said its national executive committee (NEC) was advised by Zuma of the allegations that had appeared in the media and that Zuma’s lawyer, Michael Hulley, had been instructed to communicate publicly on his behalf.
”The NEC noted the statement by deputy president Zuma, communicated through his lawyer, in which he denied the allegations in the strongest possible terms.”
When contacted for comment on Wednesday, Hulley politely explained that he has been instructed not comment on the case at all.
”Those are my instructions,” he told the South African Press Association.
The ANC on Monday called on its members to exercise ”caution and discipline” over their views on who is suitable for party leadership.
”While recognising that members of the movement may have views on the suitability of various leaders with respect to the presidency of the ANC, the NEC counsels caution, patience and discipline,” the party said in a statement after its weekend meeting.
The meeting was convened to discuss matters arising from the corruption allegations against Zuma.
In the lengthy statement, the party said there is no conspiracy or divisions within the ANC, but noted that one of its new challenges is in-fighting and factionalism, which it said is ”mostly related to competition for positions and resources”.
Meanwhile, the delayed reporting by the woman in question of the alleged rape by Zuma is ”exceptionally common” when the perpetrator is an acquaintance, The Citizen newspaper reported on Wednesday.
”Her behaviour fits the pattern,” the newspaper quoted anti-rape activist Charlene Smith — who has survived a rape, and delivered numerous academic papers on rape and sex crimes — as saying.
”When people are raped by someone close to them, it takes years for them to summon up the courage for them to report the attack.”
The Citizen reported the alleged victim had lived in the extended Zuma household since the age of 11.
Smith reportedly said the rape case will not turn on whether Zuma’s DNA is found on the woman’s clothing.
”The case will turn on her word against his. The defence will have to try to show that her word is not to be believed, while his is. This is so often the case in rape cases involving the powerful.”
The claim of rape has been described as part of a smear campaign to discredit Zuma, the newspaper said.
According to the Sunday Times, the woman reported the alleged rape two days after the incident took place in Johannesburg on Wednesday November 9, when a doctor who examined her persuaded her to do so. — Sapa