Was justice served in the Jacob Zuma rape trial?

Jacob Zuma sings "Leth'uMshini Wami" (bring me my machine gun) with his supporters Picture: Mail & Guardian

I believe so.

When the rape claims came to light, I posted that I found it unlikely that Mr Zuma's claims that the proven unprotected sex with the accuser had occurred in the course of an ongoing sexual relationship.

Since then I felt angry when the accuser's past sexual history was allowed into evidence. A very wise judge told the court that he had his reasons for allowing the evidence and as we heard the history of accusations against multiple people surface, including clergymen, I began to have my doubts.

And doubts are all that are required. The ultimate measure of whether justice has been done is when we put oursleves in the shoes of the accused and consider the evidence before the court. Would we have felt the judgement was fair?

So what of the conspiracy? I think it is unlikely that an accuser would go through the torture that has accompanied this trial for political masters. It is however likely that those unfriendly towards Mr Zuma encouraged an opportunistic prosecution. They more than us would have likely known Mr Zuma's cultural beliefs and believed that even if a conviction did not result, Mr Zuma was likely to be embarrassed.

So now we await Mr Zuma's trial for corruption. I'll await new facts and an interesting examination.

But Mr Zuma, you have coloured my perception of you with your anachronistic beliefs and chauvanist attitude. You have shamed men as you have sung your war songs with phallic symbolism. You and your supporters are may be loud and visible, but you represent an ugly side of mankind.