Publication: The Mercury
Issued:
Date: 2005-11-30
Reporter:
Reporter:
ANC
Deputy President Jacob Zuma returned to his rural Nkandla home in KwaZulu-Natal
yesterday, as the police continued their investigation into the rape claim
against him.
After much media hype about a statement that would be issued
yesterday, Zuma's attorney, Michael Hulley, released a damp squib.
He
confirmed that the police investigation into the rape claim against Zuma
remained incomplete "and that a further period is warranted in order to complete
such investigation under the direction of the National Prosecuting
Authority".
"We acknowledge that the SAPS are the appropriate agency to
deal with allegations of such a serious nature and that they should be allowed
to complete their work free from interference and speculation," the statement
said.
"In the circumstance, Mr Zuma, out of respect for due process, will
reserve any further comment on the matter until such time as the SAPS have
completed their work."
Zuma, who has been vocal in his criticism of the
Scorpions and their corruption investigation against him, had only praise for
the police yesterday. The statement said he would reserve any further comment
because this approach was "in keeping with the integrity with which the police
have dealt with the investigation".
However, the media came under fire again for its treatment of the rape
allegations against him. There is still no indication when the NPA will announce
whether it will in fact prosecute Zuma for rape.
Zuma has denied that he
raped a 31-year-old family friend in his Johannesburg home earlier this month.
The woman, a well-known Aids activist from a prominent ANC family, has gone to
ground and is believed to be in protective custody.
Zuma was in Durban at
the weekend where he met some of his allies in the provincial ANC and the
tripartite alliance, where his options were
apparently discussed. With acknowledgements to The Mercury.