City+Press,+Sunday+Independent,+Sunday+Times+on+Zuma


 * (Three articles)**



City Press, Johannesburg, 11/02/2006 19:35 - (SA)
=Security alert for Zuma's accuser=


 * MAKHUDU SEFARA and S'THEMBISO MSOMI**

AS FORMER Deputy President Jacob Zuma starts a watershed week in his life, police have increased security around his alleged rape victim and the state prosecution team.

City Press established from police sources this week that a decision to increase security around the alleged victim and to put the prosecution team - led by Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Charin de Beer - under police protection was taken after advice from the police crime intelligence unit.

Security will be stepped up to allow for increased personnel around the alleged victim and her place of accommodation. There will be more security staff on the routes she will use during the trial and afterwards. It will also mean increased security at the homes of the prosecuting team and other people central to the case.

City Press has established that the court and officials for the trial have been committed to the case for the next three weeks.

Zuma will report to the Johannesburg High Court tomorrow. There, he will be tried for allegedly raping the 31-year-old HIV-positive Aids activist. The woman and her mother have been under police protection since she went public with the rape claims. Her home in Durban was broken into and trashed by unknown people shortly after Zuma was formally charged.

According to the latest indictment, the rape took place on November 2 last year at Zuma's Forest Town home in Johannesburg.

The rape trial will be a litmus test for Zuma. It will prove whether he stands a chance of resuscitating his - waning political fortunes. If he loses the case, Zuma could face life behind bars. If he wins, he faces another hurdle as he faces charges of corruption in the Durban High Court on July 31. In addition to the increased security around the alleged victim, police will cordon off all the streets around the Johannesburg High Court in response to announcements by Zuma supporters that 10 000 of them will descend on the area.

Gauteng spokesperson of the Friends of JZ Trust, Kaizer Mohau, yesterday said many of the supporters would be bused in from KwaZulu-Natal and North West.

Although the ANC Youth League, the Young Communist League and Cosatu have said they would not officially support Zuma during the trial, it is believed they have been mobilising members in Gauteng to attend the trial.

At Zuma's first court appearance in Johannesburg, his security detail - supported by the police - blocked journalists from entering the courtroom.

National police commissioner Jackie Selebi later gave an undertaking to newspaper editors that this would not happen again.

However, in Durban this week, Zuma's security personnel had to be called to order by a judge for unilaterally deciding which journalists could enter the courtroom.

Zuma supporters see the trial as part of an alleged plot by ANC rivals to prevent him from becoming party president in 2007. If he does, it will pave the way for him to become the country's president in 2009.

Since the rape allegations became public in November, the alleged victim has been vilified by those who believe she is being used as a political pawn in the party succession battle.

The summary of substantial facts submitted to the court, which sums up Zuma's case in six paragraphs, indicates that the victim was at Zuma's house after he had invited her there.

"During the course of the evening, he invited her to stay over for the night and indicated a room to her where she could sleep. Later that evening, she retired to the bedroom to sleep.

"After some time, and whilst the complainant was sleeping, the accused came to her room and offered her a massage. After she declined the offer, he removed the duvet that covered her and proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her against her will and without her consent," it reads.

City Press can also reveal that the list of witnesses had been reviewed and five other witnesses added to the initial 23.

Of the additional five, perhaps a name that could worry Zuma most is that of the mother of the complainant who had initially been central in the attempts to get her daughter to drop the charges.

Linked to this is the testimony of Zweli Mkhize, a staunch ally of Zuma. He is expected to testify about what Zuma told him after the alleged rape and whether he had been asked to speak to the family to drop the case.

Mkhize initially confirmed that he had bought the victim's mother a flight ticket to Johannesburg to attend to "personal matters".

Mkhize's phone was off for most of yesterday but City Press understands he undertook to testify after being told he could be charged with obstructing justice.

Intelligence Minister Ronnie Kasrils also features on the witness list. He will tell the court of his relationship with the victim, dating back to their days in exile. Kasrils is expected to shed some light on how he got to know of the rape and what help he provided to the victim.

A number of the woman's friends, including an employee of the intelligence department, are also on the witness list. It is believed the alleged victim sent several SMSes to her friends before the alleged rape.

The case will revolve around scientific evidence of the presence of Zuma's semen on the alleged victim's underwear. Those likely to explain the technical details about Zuma's sperm and subsequent DNA tests and results include Captain Biance Botes of the biology unit of the police Forensic Science Laboratory in Pretoria, Senior Superintendent Elizabeth Johanna Jordaan, Senior Superintedent Hester Elizabeth Gouws and Emmanuel Boshielo - all of the Forensic Science Laboratory.

Dr Thuto Sibongile Nkobi of Medico Legal Clinic in Hillbrow is expected to confirm that sexual intercourse did take place, and investigating officer Detective Superintendent Peter Linda is expected to piece together the salient parts of the saga.

National Prosecutions Authority spokesperson Makhosini Nkosi said he could not talk about security measures around the alleged victim and the prosecuting team. He also did not want to comment on the state's case.

"The case is now at court, let the processes unfold there," he said.

Police spokesperson Mary-Martins Engelbrecht could not comment on the matter and referred us to justice spokesperson Leslie Mashokwe. He said he was not qualified to talk about the security measures.

Selebi's spokesperson, Sally de Beer, said she could not comment on the matter.

Despite the ANC National Executive Committee's attempt to slash Zuma's last political lifeline by banning him from publicly speaking on its behalf until the conclusion of the rape case, he has been on a campaign trail to shore up support before the trial.

He is scheduled to share the platform with Cosatu, SACP and ANC Youth League leaders at a Cosatu rally in Rustenburg today. He will address the rally as Cosatu's "invited guest".

It was not clear by yesterday if any ANC alliance leaders would be at the trial to give moral support to Zuma.

A few people say members of Cosatu's Central Executive Committee, who will be holding a meeting in Johannesburg this week, might put in an appearance.


 * From: http://www.news24.com/City_Press/News/0,,186-187_1879571,00.html**



State rolls out big guns in Zuma trial
=Cabinet minister, MEC and many experts are among the witnesses - and bid to recuse the judge is on the cards=

Sunday Independent, Johannesburg, February 12, 2006

 * By Jeremy Gordin**

The state will present as witnesses a cabinet minister, the MEC for finance and development in KwaZulu-Natal, an array of medical experts, senior detectives and members of the SA Police Service's VIP protection unit when the rape trial of Jacob Zuma starts tomorrow.

They are among the list of 23 witnesses whom the state has indicated it will call in the former deputy president's trial, set to begin in court 4E of the Johannesburg high court with Bernard Ngoepe, the judge president of the Transvaal, presiding.

The 31-year-old complainant is witness number one. She brought the charge against Zuma, alleging that he raped her on the night of November 2/3 at his Forest Town, Johannesburg, home where she was staying over.

Witness number eight is Ronnie Kasrils, the minister for intelligence. He is understood to have played a role in assisting the complainant in making her charge after he was told about the matter by his secretary, Nomthandazo "Kim" Msibi, witness number 10, and a friend of the complainant. Her sister, Mhlabase Msibi, is witness number 15.

Witness number 21 is Zwelini "Zweli" Lawrence Mkhize, the MEC for finance and economic development in KwaZulu-Natal, whom, it is understood, tried to play a "peacemaking" role in the initial stages of the matter, between Zuma and the complainant and her mother, witness number 11.

Witness number seven is Dr Thuto Nkobi of the Medico Legal Clinic in Hillbrow, where the complainant was examined after her alleged rape. It is not known at this stage what the medical reports reveal. Witness number 16 is another doctor, Kegakiloe Mokgatle.

Witnesses number 17 and 18 are Captain Bianca Ross and Sergeant Olivia Potgieter of the SAPS biology unit, and witnesses number 22 and 23 are Superintendent HJE Jordaan and RE Boshielo of the SAPS forensic science laboratory. The testimony of these witnesses will relate to the semen samples recovered from the complainant and the subsequent DNA tests run on these and Zuma.

Witness number five is Detective Superintendent Bafana Peter Linda of the family and sex crimes unit of the SAPS in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. Linda was the investigating officer in the matter. Witness number 19 is Commissioner None Othniel Taioe, the head of detective services in Gauteng.

Witnesses numbers three, four and six are Constables Takahani Koananane, Sizeka Nkuna and Thulane Thulo of SAPS VIP protection. They would have been on duty at Zuma's home or doing driving duties for him on or around the time of the alleged rape.

At the time of going to press there was still no indication whether Zuma's defence team - Kemp J Kemp, SC, Jerome Brauns, SC, Tandanani Mbongwa and attorney Michael Hulley - intend applying for Ngoepe's recusal.

There was dismay and anger among Zuma supporters on Friday night when it was announced Ngoepe would preside. Hulley told Beeld: "We [the defence] will doubtless have something to say [about Ngoepe presiding]."

In August Ngoepe issued the search warrants used by the Scorpions to raid the offices of Juleka Mahomed, Zuma's Johannesburg attorney, Hulley's offices in Durban and the Pretoria offices of French arms dealer Thint and the home of its chief executive, Pierre Moynot, in connection with Zuma's forthcoming trial on charges of corruption.

If the defence brings an application for the judge president's recusal it would be done on the basis that Zuma would feel uncomfortable appearing before a judge who had, by allowing the search warrants, apparently made a prima facie decision about Zuma's culpability in corruption. Zuma's trial on that matter has been set down for July 31 in the Durban high court.

In November Mahomed brought a successful application in the Johannesburg high court - although the Scorpions have appealed against the finding - to have all documents and computer disks seized during the raid on her office returned to her. Hulley and Thint have since brought similar applications before the high courts in Durban and Pretoria.

The summary of allegations regarding the case (No 312/11/2005) and provided by the state in the charge sheet are that:


 * The accused is a family friend of the 31-year-old complainant.
 * On Wednesday afternoon, November 2 2005, and following an invitation by the accused, the complainant went to visit him at his residence in Forest Town.
 * During the course of the evening [Zuma] invited her to stay over for the night and indicated a room to her where she could sleep.
 * Later that evening she retired to the bedroom to sleep.
 * After some time, and while the complainant was sleeping, Zuma came to her room and offered her a massage.
 * After the complainant declined the offer, [Zuma] removed the duvet that covered her and proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her against her will and without her consent.


 * From: http://www.sundayindependent.co.za/index.php?fArticleId=3107392**

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=Zuma guards testify for state=

Sunday Times, Johannesburg, 12 February 2006

 * DUMISANE LUBISI, WISANI wa ka NGOBENI and DOMINIC MAHLANGU**

BODYGUARDS of former Deputy President Jacob Zuma will testify for the state in his rape trial starting tomorrow.

The guards, who are among 28 witnesses called by the prosecution, were assigned to Zuma by the South African Police Service VIP Protection Unit and were present on the day the alleged rape occurred. Constables Sizeka Nkuna, Thulane Thulo and Emmanuel Koananane were among the first people to be approached by investigators after the rape complaint was made to the police. They have made sworn statements to the police about the alleged incident.

After initially wanting to call 23 witnesses, the National Prosecution Authority added five more people to its list as it sought to solidify its case. The 28 witnesses include a Cabinet minister, forensic experts, doctors, police detectives and a clinical psychologist. They also include family members and friends of the 31-year-old HIV/Aids activist who is accusing Zuma of rape.

Zuma, who was charged on December 6, has denied raping the woman at his Johannesburg home the previous month.

The rape charge forced Zuma to suspend his participation in the ANC leadership.

Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe will preside over the trial in the Johannesburg High Court. Judge Ngoepe last year issued the search warrants used by the Scorpions to raid the offices of Zuma’s Johannesburg attorney, Juleka Mohamed, and his attorney in Durban, Michael Hulley, the Pretoria offices of the French arms dealer Thint and the home of its chief executive, Pierre Moynot.

Zuma supporters are unhappy about Judge Ngoepe’s presiding over the case and there are indications that they might seek his recusal.

Thousands of Zuma supporters and protesters are expected to gather outside the court and all surrounding streets will be closed.

The National Prosecuting Authority has assigned three of its most senior prosecutors to handle the rape trial. Johannesburg Director of Public Prosecutions Charin de Beer will lead the prosecution, assisted by senior counsel Herman Broodryk and advocate Mutuwa Neghovhela.

The prosecution’s amended witness list includes Pretoria clinical psychologist Kevin Fourie and Hester Gouws, a senior superintendent at the police’s Forensic Science Laboratory.

Other witnesses to take the stand for the state are the complainant’s mother, friends and doctors who treated her after the alleged rape.

Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils and KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development Zweli Mkhize are the only politicians set to testify.

The woman is believed to have told Kasrils of her alleged ordeal at Zuma’s home. Mkhize, who is Zuma’s close ally, visited the family of the alleged victim after the first reports of the rape appeared in the media.

He has denied that he paid the visit on behalf of Zuma, saying he went there to offer his support as a family friend. Zuma is also a friend of the woman’s family.

Although the defence has played its cards close to its chest, it is understood that it is preparing to challenge the credibility of the complainant. There has been speculation that another senior Cabinet minister may be called as a defence witness.

Hulley, Zuma’s lawyer, was unwilling to discuss the matter.

“I wouldn’t want to give any insight into that as the matter is of a sensitive nature,” Hulley said.

The state alleges that on November 2, and following an invitation by Zuma, the complainant went to visit him at his residence in Forest Town.

During the evening, Zuma allegedly invited her to stay the night and showed her a room in which she could sleep. It is alleged that while the complainant was sleeping, Zuma came to her room and offered her a massage. The woman declined.

Zuma then allegedly removed the duvet that covered her and proceeded to have sexual intercourse with her against her will.

Shortly after he was charged with rape, the ANC said it viewed the allegation in a serious light as it “goes to the heart of the kind of society that we have struggled for many decades to build. The ANC reiterates its resolute determination to end gender-based violence in all its forms and manifestations.”

Zuma’s most vocal supporters, the ANC Youth League and Cosatu, say they will continue to back him. Zuma will in June face charges in the Durban High Court related to his “generally corrupt relationship” with Durban businessman Schabir Shaik, who has been convicted of fraud.

Additional reporting by Paddy Harper


 * From: http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/articles/article.aspx?ID=ST6A166888**

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