Zuma guilty of stupidity, not rape

Posted By James Forsyth Monday, May 8, 2006 - 4:01 PM Share

Jacob Zuma is not a rapist. But the former deputy president of South Africa is a reckless fool for having sex with an HIV positive woman without protection. (And no, Mr. Zuma showering after intercourse doesn’t make it safe sex.)

What is most infuriating about Zuma’s conduct is the way he revels in his ignorance, despite having been the head of the National Aids Council. After his acquittal, he rallied his supporters with his a blast of populist rhetoric. “[T]hey say they are here to enlighten us, the uneducated.” But refusing to learn about the dangers of HIV and the necessity of safe sex isn’t standing up for your rights but just plain stupid. Does Zuma really want uneducated South Africans to die from their ignorance?

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