South Africa former deputy president takes stand in defense at rape trial News
South Africa former deputy president takes stand in defense at rape trial

[JURIST] The defense case for former South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma [party profile] opened on Monday with testimony from Zuma about his role in the African National Congress (ANC) [party website]. Zuma's motion to dismiss the rape charges [JURIST report] that he faces was refused [JURIST report] by a High Court Judge Willem van der Merwe last week. Zuma testified about his relationship with the father of the 31-year-old AIDS activist whom he is accused of raping, with whom he served time in prison for activism in the ANC.

Van der Merwe questioned the defense's argument that the charges were politically motivated; Zuma was viewed as the successor to President Thabo Mbeki [BBC profile], until he became engulfed in a corruption scandal last year. Zuma's financial advisor has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for bribery and fraud, and Zuma's own trial for corruption is set to begin in July. AFP has more. SAPA has local coverage.

THIS DAY @ LAW

President Harding signed "anti-beer bill"

On November 23, 1921, President Warren G. Harding signed the Willis-Campbell Act, popularly termed the "anti-beer bill," prohibiting doctors from prescribing beer or liquor for medicinal purposes.

Convention on Cybercrimes opens for signature

On November 23, 2001, the Convention on Cybercrime was opened for signature in Budapest, Hungary, before entering into force on July 1, 2004. The Convention seeks to coordinate the Internet laws of signatory states and promote international enforcement of cybercrime laws. Learn more about the Convention on Cybercrime from the Council of Europe.