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)

Mbeki fired Zuma as deputy president after he was charged with corruption and fraud. Zuma voluntarily suspended his activities as deputy president of the ANC after he was charged with rape last December. He will stand trial in July on the corruption charges, which are connected to a large South African arms deal.

The 64-year-old has steadfastly proclaimed his innocence of all charges and maintained the accusations were the result of a conspiracy by unidentified powers in the ANC seeking to derail his political career.

Zuma refused to say who he believed was behind the conspiracy but said he "did not see the hand" of Mbeki in it.

He also said the woman the judge ruled had falsely accused him of rape should not be vilified. She cannot be identified under South African law, but many South Africans know who she is.

The judge had said trauma in the woman's past may have led her to find "any sexual behavior threatening." The accuser was heckled as she arrived for court hearings, Zuma supporters burned her photograph outside the courtroom and aggressive cross-examination about her sexual history prompted concern that other women will be deterred from reporting rape.

The woman has been in a witness protection program since her allegations were made public. Her mother's house has been ransacked twice. South African media reported she is likely to be given a new home abroad.

Zuma said he did have a lot of regrets but that now it was time to move on.

"I'm not an angel. I live in this world," said Zuma. "You make mistakes, you develop, you move forward."