Redi stands firm
Author of Zuma rape accuser’s book takes to Twitter to tell how she sought Zweli Mkhize’s side of the story
Former 702 talk show host and author Redi Tlhabi has responded to ANC treasurergeneral Zweli Mkhize’s claims over her book on President Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser Fezekile “Khwezi” Kuzwayo.
Tlhabi took to social media yesterday, stating she had sent Mkhize WhatsApp messages to get his side of the story before publishing the book.
She was reacting to a question from Twitter user Louwi Mogaki, who asked for her comment on Mkhize’s assertion that she wrote the book without affording him a chance to give his side of the story.
Yesterday, Mkhize said he has not seen Tlhabi’s Twitter and WhatsApp messages and would not “drag Khwezi’s name into the public spat” between him and Tlhabi.
“I am therefore reluctant to draw Fezeka’s (Fezekile) name back into contentious public discussions. She has now passed [on] and to me it appears inappropriate to continually put her name back into a potentially prejudicial discussion.
“What makes the recollection of these events even more painful than they have always been is that today is Fezeka’s birthday and she would have been 43,” Mkhize said.
“The normal way would be to have correspondence letters. I would be contacting the publisher on the matter. I have not done that. There is no rush.”
Tlhabi’s book on Khwezi reveals how Mkhize allegedly misled the young woman who in 2005 accused President Jacob Zuma of raping her, into dropping the charges against the president. Zuma was acquitted of the charge in 2006. According to the book, Mkhize called her family to talk about compensating them about what had happened.
“Fezekile informed him that she was continuing with the legal process and that, if there is to be any compensation, then it must be discussed with her mother,” Tlhabi writes.
Tlhabi reveals that Khwezi’s account was that her mother told Mkhize that, according to her knowledge of Zulu culture, there was no compensation for rape. The book reveals that Zuma also phoned Khwezi at that time. Tlhabi writes that Zuma wanted to meet Khwezi in Durban to “talk about him and I”.
“Up till now: until the trial, Beauty (Khwezi’s mother) had believed that Zuma was genuinely sorry. But in the events leading up to the trial, how she and her daughter were hounded out, insulted and mispresented, it dawned on her that Zuma was not sorry.”
Mkhize sought legal representation for Kuzwayo family. The family was given Yusuf Dockrat to assist them.
“After taking the story he [the lawyer] then proceeded to talk about the case and the pros and cons of going on with the case. Initially, he seemed to be objective and just talking and helpful; then towards the end of the conversation he clearly said that he was advising I should drop the charge,” said Khwezi in the book.
When Sowetan asked for Tlhabi’s comment, she said: “I am not interested in speaking to the Sowetan. The paper has no interest in her [Khwezi] and her journey.”