South Africa’s Vice President attest to Jacob Zuma alleged r*pe case

South Africa Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, said he believed the woman who filed r*pe charges against President Jacob Zuma in 2006.

Zuma was tried and acquitted of defiling Fezekile Kuzwayo, also known as Khwezi, 11 years ago, when she was a guest in his home.


In spite the acquittal the trial damaged Zuma’s reputation, not least because Khwezi – who died in 2016, was HIV-positive and Zuma told the court that he had taken the precaution of “showering” after unprotected s*x.

Ramaphosa, who is vying with Zuma for leadership of the ANC and, therefore, the country, made the remarks during a radio interview on Thursday night.

When pressed on the r*pe allegations, Ramaphosa at first demurred before saying: “Yes, I would believe her.”

“I know how difficult and painful it is for a woman to garner up the courage to stand up and say, ‘Yes, I was defiled.

“It must be one of the most difficult decisions that she has to make,” he said.

Ramaphosa has been Zuma’s deputy since 2014.

On Friday, the presidency released a terse statement in response to Ramaphosa’s remarks.

“The r*pe allegations against President Zuma were properly considered by a Judge of the High Court.

“Having evaluated the totality of the evidence, the court acquitted Zuma of the r*pe charges,” it said.



Source: (dpa/NAN)