The controversial song, Msholozi — Jacob Zuma’s clan name — kicked off a carnival atmosphere at the former deputy president’s rape trial on Monday.
The song, by the group Izinganizoma, called for charges against Zuma to be dropped.
It was recently withdrawn from the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s Ukhozi FM’s play-lists after complaints from listeners.
A red minibus with massive speakers mounted on top played a continuous loop of the song with passers-by and Johanesburg metro police tapping their feet to the catchy tune.
Thokozani Zulu from Vosloorus said: ”It is a maskanda song. I’m not used to buying this sort of thing, but because of this banning I bought it.”
Mulungise Tshabalala from Zola, Soweto, was blowing a vuvuzela but took time out to tell reporters: ”The ANC must know today we will support this guy.”
He said many of Zuma’s supporters were angry because the Gauteng Legislature was opening on the same day as the court case began.
”We are angry because everyone is going there instead of coming here,” he said as people wearing T-shirts reading ”100% Zuluboy” walked by.
The 31-year-old complainant in the rape matter arrived at the court around 7am.
The woman, an HIV positive Aids activist, covered her head with a scarf while entering the building. She was accompanied by security personnel.
A small group of anti-rape protesters took up station outside the court. The group, numbering about 12 women and three men, displayed placards reading ”Rape is always a crime”, ”Solidarity with women who speak out” and ”Silence does not equal consent.”
People Opposed to Woman Abuse (Powa) public awareness manager Carrie Shelver said they were there in support of survivors of sexual violence — and the complainant.
She said current legislation did not really provide for survivors of sexual violence.
”Survivors get very little support in South Africa,” she said.
The protesters included members of Powa, the Gender Aids Forum, the Forum for the Empowerment of Women, a black lesbian group, and the Positive Women’s Network.
A small group of Zuma supporters gathered in Smal Street next to the court and was chanting pro-Zuma slogans under the watchful eye of police.
Police vehicles lined the streets around the court in Pritchard Street with a large truck of razor wire at the ready.
About a hundred policemen were keeping watch around the building.
Emergency services were also on stand-by and a large media contingent have put up equipment in front of the court building.
Streets around the court, including Von Wielligh, Kruis and Von Brandis Streets have been closed to traffic.
The trial was expected to get under way around 10am. Zuma was charged in December with raping the woman at his Johannesburg home. The alleged rape took place in November.
This came after he was relieved of his post as deputy president in June, amid charges of corruption that emanated from the fraud and corruption conviction of his financial adviser Schabir Shaik. – Sapa