Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser might be placed in the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) witness protection programme once the trial ends, The Cape Times reported on Tuesday.
Its website quoted Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula as saying her protection had been discussed with the national head of the witness protection unit.
Once the rape trial was over, her protection would be arranged ”in consultation” with the 31-year-old woman, Nqakula said on Monday.
He was replying to the United Independent Front’s Malizole Diko, who had asked whether the state would continue to protect the woman, her family and other witnesses in the trial once the six weeks in which the woman was entitled to 24-hour police protection ended.
Final argument by the defence and the state is to be presented in the Johannesburg High Court on Wednesday.
Presiding judge Willem van der Merwe was expected to deliver judgement on May 8.
Nqakula said there had been major changes in the witness protection unit since 2001/2002 and an ”after-care” strategy had been developed.
”In the case at hand, the steps that will be taken will be guided by a proper threat assessment and dealt with in the same manner as other cases.”
Nqakula declined to give details of the steps that might be taken to ensure the woman’s safety.
The witness protection unit is funded and manned by the police, but managed by the NPA under the auspices of the Department of Justice.
Nqakula said the witness protection unit had told him it would take precautions, once the trial ended, to ensure the woman’s safety.
”This is to ensure that witnesses and related persons are not threatened, harmed or assassinated resulting from evidence in any judicial proceedings,” he said. – Sapa