Hunt for DNA Link [The Star, 2005-11-24]

Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2005-11-24 Reporter: Alex Eliseev Reporter: Reporter:

Hunt for DNA Link

Publication	The Star
Date	2005-11-24
Reporter	Alex Eliseev
Web Link	www.thestar.co.za

Tests fast-tracked on underwear of woman who claims ANC deputy raped her

Fast-tracked forensic tests have been completed on the underwear of the woman who claims to have been raped by Jacob Zuma - and now the police must establish if the DNA found matches his.

The spotlight in the rape investigation against the ANC's deputy president is now set to shift from the complainant to Zuma.

A senior police source yesterday confirmed that staff at the Pretoria forensic laboratory worked through the weekend to finish analysing the sample found on the 31-year-old complainant's underwear.

Under normal circumstances, with a backlog of samples, testing at the laboratories can take more than four months

Eventually I will have to make the decision. It falls under my jurisdiction Director of Public Prosecutions advocate Charin de Beer

But this sample, potentially a political bomb, was tested in a matter of days.

The results, the source said, were "positive", meaning the sample proved to be semen.

According to the source, this was enough for the forensic unit to recommend that the investigating officer obtain a control sample from potential suspects - Zuma being the main one following the woman's rape complaint against him.

The forensic team is now looking for "a male profile" who matches the sample.

DNA can be obtained from a blood sample or a cheek swab, and the decision now lies with the investigator whether to compel Zuma to submit to a test.

The two samples would then be compared, and could prove to be crucial evidence.

"But you still have to prove all the other elements," the source said. "A lot will depend on how good a witness the woman is in court."

Other limitations could weigh against her: that two days passed before a district surgeon examined the complainant, and that a sample lifted from clothing was not always reliable.

Tests were carried out at the forensic lab in the strictest confidence and few details about the alleged rape were given to the staff.

After the police investigation, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will have to decide whether to prosecute Zuma on the rape charge.

If he is prosecuted, the trial would begin at the Johannesburg High Court.

The big decision as to whether to prosecute Zuma would be made by the Director of Public Prosecutions, advocate Charin de Beer.

She confirmed this yesterday, saying: "Eventually I will have to make the decision. It falls under my jurisdiction."

De Beer would not discuss the case any further, saying only that NPA head Vusi Pikoli would talk to the media.

She would not say when the decision would be made.

"The case is at a very sensitive stage."

The complainant, an HIV-positive woman and well-known Aids activist and daughter of a former ANC heavyweight, alleges Zuma raped her at his Forest Town home on November 2.

She reported the alleged rape at Hillbrow police station two days later, where a docket was opened and investigations began.

Amid a media frenzy, the woman denied laying the charges, but this week she told The Star she was standing by her allegations.

She said she had feared it would be "me alone versus the whole country" after she laid the rape complaint, but was now adamant she wanted to pursue her case against the country's former deputy president.

The rape allegations are the latest in a series of crises to hit the ruling party.

After Zuma's axing by President Thabo Mbeki, and with a corruption trial on the horizon, the latest allegations are believed to be causing even more division.

Zuma's supporters say the rape allegations are part of a smear campaign to prevent him from becoming the country's next president.

Members of the ANC national working committee met at the weekend and, after a three-day session, denied any split in the party.

Yesterday the ANC again reiterated its position on the rape allegations against Zuma.

"These are serious allegations, which must be dealt with in terms of the law by the appropriate institutions of the state.

"The national executive noted the statement by (ANC) deputy president Zuma, communicated through his lawyer, in which he denied the allegations in the strongest possible terms," an ANC statement said.

Zuma's lawyer, Michael Hulley, said yesterday he could not comment on the case at all - "those are my instructions".

National police spokesperson Director Sally de Beer said no comments were being made about the allegations.

Meanwhile, Moshoeshoe Monare reports that the ANC and its tripartite allies were not prepared to have an official change of heart towards Zuma until there was official confirmation of a rape charge and prosecution against him.

After its three-day central executive committee meeting, Cosatu was expected to reiterate its support for Zuma today.

As with the ANC, it is relying on the fact that there is no official police confirmation of charges and pending prosecution.

With acknowledgements to Alex Eliseev and The Star.

*1 It's official, ANC and its tripartite allies do not consider charges of corruption seriously.