Jacob Zuma Rape Trial

The rape trial of a South African politician is not an inherently interesting news story to me or probably you, but the trial of former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma (acquited today) is chock full of oddness.

Here are a few tidbits that many of today's news stories about the case omitted:

1. Zuma claimed that the woman did not cross her legs when she sat near him prior to the alleged rape. Zuma interpreted this as "encouragement".
2. Zuma says that he did not use a condom because he did not have one. He didn't go to get one, he claims, because Zulu tradition supposedly teaches that if you leave a woman while she is aroused, she might get angry and then accuse you of rape.
3. The victim is HIV positive.
4. Zuma knew her HIV-status before the alleged rape. Zuma says he showered after the incident, believing it would reduce his likelihood of contracting HIV.
5. As Deputy President, Zuma was in charge of South Africa's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS.
6. South Africa has the highest number of HIV+ people in the world.

Ugh.