Publication: Sapa Issued: Johannesburg Date: 2006-02-13 Reporter: Sapa Reporter: Reporter:

Anti-Rape, Pro-Zuma Protesters Exchange Insults

 

Publication 

Sapa
BC-COURT-ZUMA-LD-PROTESTERS

Issued

Johannesburg
Date 2006-02-13

Reporter

 Sapa

 

Anti-rape and pro-Jacob Zuma protesters exchanged insults outside the Johannesburg High Court on Monday morning as lawyers inside asked the trial judge to recuse himself.

A small group of anti-rape protesters singing in Zulu asked in song "Why are you playing around with your pants, now you have caused a problem".

A pro-Zuma supporter, bearing a traditional shield and three sticks, pointed at them, chanting "Look at those bitches", in apparent response.

About 30 people, mostly women, were holding up placards reading "Rape is always a crime", "Solidarity with women who speak out" and "Silence does not equal consent."

The protesters included members of People Opposed to Woman Abuse (Powa), the Gender Aids Forum, the Forum for the Empowerment of Women, a black lesbian group, and the Positive Women's Network.

Powa public awareness manager Carrie Shelver earlier said they were there in support of survivors of sexual violence -- and the complainant.

She said current legislation did not really provide for survivors of sexual violence.

"Survivors get very little support in South Africa," she said.

Police said that by 11am altogether about 2 000 protesters, both against rape, and for Zuma, were present at the court.

With ackowledgements to Sapa.