Playing to the Crowd: Jacob Zuma dances to the song ‘Awuleth’ umshini wami’ (Bring me my machine gun) after his appearance in court yesterday
(Picture: Greg Marinovich)

Police probe allegation that ANC deputy president sexually assaulted a guest at his house

Former Deputy President Jacob Zuma has been accused of raping a woman who was a guest at his house in Forest Town, Johannesburg.

Asked about the incident yesterday, the woman responded that she was unwilling to confirm it.

“I am not prepared to talk about it,” she said.

She went on: “I’m sure you understand why. You understand how sensitive this is. I can’t. I really can’t. I am not prepared to go out and talk about it.”

About the complaint against Zuma, she said: “You did not get that from me. You got it from someone else and I am not commenting about that.”

She later called to say that she had “digested the information” and wanted to make further comment about it. She said: “I know Zuma well and I go to his house all the time.”

The complainant, whose identity is known to the Sunday Times *1, told police that she was sexually assaulted by Zuma on Wednesday night last week.

The Sunday Times understands that the police are taking the matter seriously and top investigators have been assigned to look into it. The woman is also under protection.

Police investigators have apparently interviewed and taken statements from key witnesses who were in the house when the alleged incident took place. The witnesses include Zuma family members.

Zuma’s lawyer Michael Hulley said yesterday that Zuma denied the rape allegation. “I canvassed it with my client and he refuted the allegations out of hand,” Hulley said.

He said he had phoned several police stations in Johannesburg and they were not aware of such a claim. He said: “Mr Zuma is neither a suspect nor an accused.”

However, the rape allegations are likely to cause waves within the African National Congress, which is already faced with a political crisis emanating from Zuma’s axing by President Thabo Mbeki.

According to senior ANC officials, several leaders, including ANC secretary-general Kgalema Motlanthe and national chairman Mosiuoa Lekota, have been tasked with dealing with the matter.

The rape allegations are a major blow to Zuma, who already faces two charges of corruption related to his dealings with convicted Durban businessman Schabir Shaik.

Yesterday, Zuma appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, where he was formally served with an indictment and his case was sent to the Durban High Court for trial on July31 next year.

Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi said he did not comment on investigations. “I would not know what you’re talking about, the details or whatever.

“The only time people get to know about what we’re investigating is when people go to court,” he said.

National police spokesman Sally de Beer said: “I cannot comment on that matter.”

However, the Sunday Times spoke to several police officers who confirmed that a complaint had been laid against Zuma.

The woman, in her early 30s, comes from an ANC family that has had a close relationship with Zuma for many years.

She reported the matter on Friday last week, two days after the alleged rape. She was apparently not keen to report the case until she was persuaded to do so by a doctor who examined her the morning after the alleged incident.

The Sunday Times understands that the police found semen on her underwear, which they are believed to have kept for DNA tests.

A friend of the alleged victim, who refused to be named, told the Sunday Times that the woman was “traumatised” and in need of emotional support.

“This has blown her. All I said to her is that if you need support, I am really here for you,” he said.

He confirmed that a complaint had been lodged with the police and that there was a case number.

He said he was worried about his friend and the impact the case might have on her health.

Smuts Ngonyama, the ANC presidency head, said yesterday he was not aware of the rape allegation against the party’s deputy president.

When asked whether the ANC had been informed of it, Ngonyama said: “The police can do their work without informing the ANC.”

Meanwhile, Xolani Xundu and Paddy Harper report that Zuma has again called on his supporters to stop insulting President Thabo Mbeki even though they disagreed with the way he was being treated.

Zuma was addressing about 10 000 people outside the Durban Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

During his last appearance in court last month, supporters burnt T-shirts bearing Mbeki’s name and sang songs insulting his mother. This was not repeated yesterday following calls from Zuma and ANC Youth League president Fikile Mbalula for people to stop doing so.

“Our actions should not overshadow the main cause ... The law must be upheld by everyone. I interpret this [support] as a demonstration of protecting our democracy, hoping you will do it even to others,” said Zuma.

The only hint of anger came when master of ceremonies S’dumo Dlamini introduced KwaZulu-Natal Premier S’bu Ndebele as being among the dignitaries.

Part of the crowd booed Ndebele, who has come under fire from his own members since Zuma’s axing in June.

Earlier, the formal presentation of the provisional indictment outlining four counts of corruption and alternative charges against Zuma and co-accused Thint Holdings (Southern Africa) (Pty) Ltd took only minutes to complete.

Zuma stood quietly while prosecutor Billy Downer went through the formalities.

Prominent ANC leaders, including Motlanthe and Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete, and a host of alliance leaders joined Zuma’s family and local supporters inside the courtroom while the crowd sang and toyi-toyied outside.

With acknowledgements to Wisani wa ka Ngonbeni, Dominic Mahlangu aDumisane Lubis and Sunday Times.