The Zuma case

The Zuma rape trial was going to raise many questions and bring divisions. I'm actually responding to the four women respondents who expressed their strong opinions in Pambazuka News 254 and starting with the featured interview with Delphine Serumaga.

Is it coincidence that they are all women? I'm not surprised by their diatribe, needless to say that I'm a man, but that does not really fashion my views on this one. There are parts of what they say I agree with and some (most in fact) that I don't and think that they are emotional, misdirected and confuse issues deliberately for the cause of fighting women's rights at the expense of reality and common sense. We all know that our society is "patriarchal", but we're trying hard to change that.

The Judge takes huge flak, unjustly as he was only doing his job, but there is recognition that he was "fair" and his judgment "correct". The alleged "gap in his understanding" is imaginary…the judge was aware of each and every piece of evidence led before him! People must realise that cases are won because there is strong and unassailable evidence, but rape is always difficult as it is the word of only two people against each other. I don't agree with the statement that the judgment was a "setback for women's rights" in general.

I agree that "Khwezi's" dignity suffered and will be difficult to reclaim, but nevertheless the legal system has done its best to "protect" her under the circumstances. Her name or picture may still not be published without consent, she is kept under extended witness protection even after the trial, and she is starting a new life away from SA at the state's expense.

It would be sad if indeed the judgment means that women who are abused are intimidated to approach police and courts, but the flip side also is that in such cases people may not abuse the system by claiming non-existent rapes, or fulfill other agendas via bogus rape charges.

Interesting that a Sunday paper published views from the public about the Zuma judgment and his aspirations for presidency. More important is that the majority (49%) "agreed with verdict, 40% didn't" and again a majority 51% "accepted Zuma's apology for his behaviour", only "42% didn't". These perceptions are likely to change over time. It is two years before the issue of the presidency really comes up for any serious contention. Besides, the ANC is capable of dealing with this issue within their structures, without any individual influence.