JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP):
THE WOMAN who accused former Deputy President Jacob Zuma of rape had been raped once before, according to testimony yesterday in a trial that has thrown a spotlight on the high rates of violence against women in South Africa.
Zuma, the man once thought destined to become South Africa's next president, said in a statement read to the court as the trial opened Monday that the woman, an old family friend, had spent the night willingly at his home last November, and that the two had consensual sex. He also said without explaining that the woman had previously made accusations of rape.
The woman testified Monday that Zuma raped her when she was a guest in his home, ignoring her protest.
Under cross-examination, the woman said Tuesday that she had been raped once before, but she did not give any details, the South African Press Association reported.
Judge Willem van der Merwe ruled at the start of testimony Tuesday that the defence could cross-examine the alleged victim about her sexual history.
