Publication: Sapa Issued: Johannesburg Date: 2006-02-14 Reporter: Sapa

Zuma Addresses Supporters after Rape Case Postponement

 

Publication 

Sapa
BC-COURT-ZUMA-LD-SUPPORTERS

Issued

Johannesburg
Date 2006-02-14

 

Former deputy president Jacob Zuma on Monday morning told supporters he would be back in court on March 6.

He was addressing a crowd of supporters outside the Johannesburg High Court where Judge Ezra Goldstein had shortly before postponed proceedings to give the defence more time to prepare for Zuma's rape trial.

"My lawyers received more documents yesterday (Monday), they requested the court to adjourn so that they can study them," Zuma said. The crowd answered: "We will be there!"

He added that the number of state witnesses have also increased, but gave no numbers. The crowd booed the news.

Zuma also called on his followers to vote in next month's local government elections, saying that not doing so would weaken the African National Congress.

"We must not blame the organisation because of a few individuals," he said.

Zuma left shortly afterwards, but not before giving in to crowd pressure to sing his signature tune, "Lethu Mshini Wami" (Give me my gun).

Supporters earlier sang and carried placards backing the former deputy president.

"Nelson Mandela tell Mbeki to release Zuma so that he can rule the country," they chanted.

Their posters read: "(Bulelani) Ngcuka and friends are saying Zuma is a Zulu boy *1. Have you forgotten that Chief Albert Luthuli was also a Zulu boy?"

"Former ANC leaders are turning in their graves because you (Ngcuka) and friends are dividing the country."

Others read: "Hamba (leave) Mbeki hamba".

"Why did mister Ngcuka call the media to the off-the-record briefing? *2 The purpose was to gossip and assassinate the character of our leader (Zuma)," other posters read.

More than 100 bystanders were watching the protesters, whose number had grown rapidly since 9am when there were hardly any.

Another poster read: "SAPS prepare for civil war" *3.

SA Prisoners Organisation for Human Rights president Golden Miles Budhu joined the protesters who enthusiastically welcomed him. He carried a placard reading: "Why was Zuma raped?"

As on Monday, he was dressed in prison garb and wearing chains *5.

With acknowledgement to Sapa.


*1  With an unfortunately adult libido.

*2  Only he would know why, but at the time he was trying to give mister Zuma some space.

*3  The superpoopers in the SANDF being too plump to engage with the Zulu Amabutho *4.

But nevertheless, a very aggressive and dangerous warning for all South Africans.

*4  Zulu Regiments.

*5  A reality awaiting many with failed defences and failed appeals.