Southern African bishops expressed ”deep disgust” at the behaviour of some people in the vicinity of the Johannesburg High Court, where Jacob Zuma is on trial for rape.
”It is with deep disgust and solemn disapproval that the bishops of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa … have noted recent developments at the high court … We therefore call on those responsible for such behaviour to desist immediately from such demeaning action,” the bishops said in a statement.
”We recognise the vulnerability of women in our society and wish to distance ourselves from anything that further humiliates them. Press headlines have disclosed most unacceptable behaviour in the vicinity of the court.
”The mischievous political manipulation of this matter as ethnically motivated is as dangerous as it is dishonest.
”The unmitigated disrespect of the due process of law in prejudgments being made by the public is unworthy of our democracy and our commitment to sustaining the human dignity of every citizen,” the group said.
”We call on the SAPS to bring to order and charge people responsible for actions which incite violence and publicly degrade the dignity of any citizen.”
The bishops also called on all South Africans to allow the courts to do their work and to respect the dignity and rights of ”all parties involved in this sensitive case”.
The face of the woman at the centre of Zuma’s trial was burnt on Tuesday, with some calling her a ”bitch”.
Meanwhile, cabinet has also expressed its disapproval of the behaviour of some apparent supporters of Zuma outside the court.
Briefing the media at parliament following cabinet’s fortnightly meeting on Wednesday, government communications spokesman Joel Netshitenzhe said the meeting had expressed its concern about the behaviour of ”certain members of society around matters pertaining to allegations of, and court hearings on, sexual violence ”.
”In particular, cabinet calls on those who wish to express their solidarity in the Johannesburg rape trial of the former deputy president to ensure that nothing is done which undermines the rule of law, demeans the complainant and the defendant, and suggests disrespect for the judiciary and law-enforcement agencies,” he said. — Sapa