South Africa: Jacob Zuma

The current rape trial of South Africa's former deputy president, Jacob Zuma, has exposed a troubling side to a country hailed for its democracy and successful economy. Mr Zuma, who spent his 64th birthday in court last week, is accused of raping a 31-year-old family friend at his Johannesburg home last November. He admits having sex, but says it was consensual and claims the charge is part of a conspiracy to stop him succeeding President Thabo Mbeki.

The judge will decide whether he is a rapist. Later this year another judge in a separate trial will decide whether Mr Zuma, who has been linked to a convicted fraudster, is corrupt. If acquitted in both trials it is up to the African National Congress to decide whether Mr Zuma, who remains the party's deputy leader, takes over when Mr Mbeki steps down as party leader next year and as the country's president in 2009. It is unlikely Mr Zuma will stage a comeback, though there is enough murk in his power struggle with Mr Mbeki - a sorry saga of smears, hoax emails and spies - to convince supporters that their man was victimised when fired as deputy president last year.

Regardless of the verdict, the rape trial has exposed Mr Zuma as unfit for public life. Since it began he has played the Zulu card, bussing in ethnic kin from KwaZulu-Natal to rally outside the court, chanting that their "100% Zulu boy" has been framed by Xhosas in the ANC. Ethnic clashes cost thousands of lives before apartheid fell in 1994. By appealing to Zulu grievance Mr Zuma is stirring embers best left untouched. In his testimony Mr Zuma said the complainant sent sexual signals by wearing a knee-length skirt, and that once a woman is aroused Zulu culture compels a man to satisfy her desire. Both claims are damaging in a country plagued by one of the world's highest rates of sexual violence. The defendants' supporters shout "Burn the bitch" when the accuser enters court. Mr Zuma, who has two wives, admitted having unprotected sex even though the alleged victim had HIV. As a precaution he showered afterwards.

For the man who once headed the moral regeneration campaign and the national Aids council to say this beggars belief. Abstain, be faithful or wear a condom, he once preached. The hypocrisy is bad enough, but to discount the transmission risk and advocate showering as a form of safe sex is not only ludicrous, but dangerous in a country with more than 5 million people with HIV and a daily death toll exceeding 600. Mr Zuma has betrayed those who looked to him for leadership.