SOUTH AFRICA: Thousands turn up to show support for former deputy President Jacob Zuma on the eve of his judgment in rape trial

Record ID: 214434

  • Title: SOUTH AFRICA: Thousands turn up to show support for former deputy President Jacob Zuma on the eve of his judgment in rape trial
  • Date: 8th May 2006
  • Summary: ZUMA ARRIVING AT AMPHITHEATRE
  • Embargoed: 23rd May 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: South Africa
  • Country: South Africa
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA50SIHZ2Z5FR31L73S6LF8VUVS
  • Story Text: South Africa's former Deputy President Jacob Zuma rallied thousands of supporters on Sunday (May 7) in a show of political strength on the eve of a ruling by a judge who will decide whether he will be convicted of rape.
    As South Africa braced for Monday's verdict in its most sensational trial since the end of apartheid, a beaming Zuma attended a packed fund-raising concert held for him in a stadium in Soweto, outside Johannesburg.
    The crowd applauded and cheered as Zuma entered the stadium, where traditional Zulu music stars gave a concert to raise funds for his legal defence.
    Zuma said very little to the crowd, but joined musicians in belting out his trade mark anti-apartheid struggle song "Bring me my machinegun".
    "I know you would like me to speak, but you see I am not allowed to speak because if I do that I will be held in contempt of court, " Zuma said in Zulu, thanking the crowd for its show of support.
    The 7,000 capacity stadium was packed to overflowing, with hordes of people outside still trying to get in. Zuma, until recently seen as the frontrunner to become South Africa's next president, could face 15 years in prison if found guilty of raping a 31-year-old family friend at his Johannesburg home last November.
    An acquittal could keep his political career alive -- widening rifts within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) where he remains a popular if polarising figure.
    Judge Willem van der Merwe, who under South Africa's non-jury trial system will decide the case, is due to start delivering his verdict at 0700 GMT and has granted permission for the ruling to be broadcast live on television and radio.
    Police said they were laying on extra security around the downtown Johannesburg courthouse, where both Zuma supporters and women's groups have staged noisy demonstrations during the almost two months of testimony in the case.
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