The Jacob Zuma rape trial was adjourned shortly after he pleaded not guilty at the Johannesburg High Court on Monday.
This was to allow court officials to choose who will be allowed inside the court for the complainant’s testimony to be held in camera.
The court was cleared and officials went around with a list ticking off the names of those who may be present when the woman who laid the rape charge recounts the alleged events of November 2.
Earlier, Zuma was charged with raping her at his home in Epping Street, Forest Town in Johannesburg on November 2.
When asked how he pleaded, he said: ”Not guilty”.
In a statement handed to Judge Willem van der Merwe, Zuma admitted to sex with the complainant, but denied rape.
Zuma said the complainant visited his home and willingly stayed over for the night.
He said he and the women had sexual intercourse that lasted for some time.
At no stage did the woman say ”no” or say she was having intercourse against her will.
Zuma said she had a cellphone with her and his daughter was in the house throughout the night.
He said the woman had made similar allegations against other men in the past.
The passage outside the court was filled with family members, onlookers and unaccredited journalists hoping to secure access to the testimony.
A Mail & Guardian Online reporter at the scene said over a thousand Zuma supporters were gathered directly in front of the court and that the crowd stretched around the block.
Meanwhile, the supporters of the woman at the centre of trial had gathered on the corner of Von Wielligh and Pritchard streets.
Edna Mamonyane, spokesperson for the Metro Police, said they were expecting conflict outside the court — and so they had separated the protestors. Mamonyane said there were about 600 policemen keeping the supporters apart.
Themba Pholosho (27) who described himself as an HIV/Aids activist, said he had taken the day off to support the woman. He was holding a placard saying: ”Men for gender justice”.
”It’s against the law and it’s a crime. He [Zuma] is sending the wrong message to the youth. If he’s guilty he must be found guilty.”
A Zuma supporter held a placard saying ”Rape and corruption won’t work — think twice”, while another supporter’s read: ”If B Ngcuka was not born, Zuma would be free”.
The Mail & Guardian Online reporter said many of Zuma’s supporters seemed drunk, with one screaming: ”Jacob Zuma did not fuck that bitch”.
Halala Sibiya, who said she was a coordinator of the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust said: ”We are so happy and proud today to support our father. We love Jacob Zuma because he supported us in our area.
Sibiya said she lives in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal and that the media had been telling lies about Zuma.
”I have to believe that Jacob Zuma can’t do that thing to that lady … because on the 2nd of November he was in Nkandla — I saw him. He didn’t rape her, he has many witnesses.” – Sapa