Zuma Apologizes for Having Unprotected Sex

Former South African deputy President Jakob Zuma answers questions during an on air live news conference in Johannesburg, Tuesday, May 9, 2006. Zuma, in a news conference a day after being aquitted of rape, apologized Tuesday for having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman, but denied he had harmed South Africa's AIDS prevention program. Zuma was acquitted Monday of raping a 31-year-old HIV-positive AIDS activist and family friend. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell) (Denis Farrell - AP)

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- A day after he was acquitted of rape, former Deputy President Jacob Zuma apologized Tuesday for having unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman but denied he had harmed South Africa's AIDS prevention efforts.

Zuma's testimony that he thought he faced little risk from unprotected consensual sex with his accuser brought a scolding from the judge and angered activists who said he set a terrible example and demonstrated a shocking ignorance about the HIV virus that causes AIDS.

"I wish to state categorically and place on record that I erred in having unprotected sex. I should have known better," Zuma said Tuesday during a news conference broadcast live on radio and television. "And I should have acted with greater caution and responsibility. For this I unconditionally apologize to all the people of this country."

Before the rape trial and an unrelated corruption case that goes to trial in July, Zuma was seen as the man destined to succeed Thabo Mbeki as president. With Tuesday's news conference, he began what promised to be a vigorous attempt to revive his political career.

Zuma, who once headed the South African National AIDS Commission, also testified he had taken a shower after sex because he believed it reduced the risk of infection. AIDS experts belittled that.

The testimony was especially troubling in a country with 6 million HIV-infected people _ the highest number of infections in any nation. Activists thought his testimony could further damage efforts to control the spread of HIV in a country where the president has questioned the link between HIV and AIDS and the health minister has resisted the spread of AIDS drugs while advocating garlic and the African potato as weapons against the disease.

Zuma was acquitted Monday of raping the 31-year-old HIV-positive AIDS activist and family friend at his Johannesburg home last November.

While saying he believed the judge was right to scold him for having unprotected sex with a woman he knew was HIV-positive, the former deputy president claimed his testimony was never intended as a policy statement on AIDS.

"I would like to underline the crucial struggle against HIV and AIDS continues in our country," he said. "Our country has one of the most comprehensive programs of HIV and AIDS prevention, treatment, support and research. And I am proud to have been associated with it in my tenure in government."

He also repeated his assertion that he is HIV-negative on Tuesday.

As for his political ambitions, Zuma said he had never refused a request from the African National Congress and would not do so now if the party nominated him to run for president when Mbeki steps down in 2009. The constitution bars Mbeki from seeking a third term.

Zuma said he had informed ANC Secretary-General Kagalema Motlanthe that he intended to resume his duties as the deputy president of the governing party.