Posters carried by supporters of both the accused and the complainant at Jacob Zuma's rape trial on Monday morning ranged from the inflammatory to the benign.

One of the former deputy president's supporters bore a placard reading: "How much did they pay you nondindwa (bitch)", a reference to the alleged victim. "Innocent until found otherwise", "If B(ulelani) Ngcuka was not born Zuma would be free", read others.

In reference to their desire to have Zuma succeed Thabo Mbeki as president in 2009, another read: "Rape and corruption won't work, 2009 J Zuma".

Campaigners for women's and children's rights had posters that read: "Five percent rape conviction is not enough", a nod at the low rate of rape convictions in South Africa. "Men for gender justice", "More than faces and vaginas" and "Men call on all rape cases to be taken seriously" were messages displayed on other posters.

Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) members were also present in solidarity with rights group People Opposing Women Abuse and the alleged rape victim. TAC member Mark Heywood said: "We are not here to say we are for or against Zuma. We are here to say rape is problem in our country and anyone who lays a rape complaint must be supported."

With acknowledgement to Sapa.