"ONE battle down, two more to go," said a senior Jacob Zuma aide after the verdict in the African National Congress (ANC) deputy president's three-month-long rape trial.
While Zuma's camp is still celebrating his court victory and gearing up for the two corruption charges in the Durban High Court trial scheduled for July, the mood at ANC headquarters in Luthuli House will be understandably subdued as the full implication of Zuma's exoneration sinks in.
The party did not react independently to the verdict yesterday, relying instead on the imposed sense of solidarity provided by its tripartite alliance with the South African Communist Party (SACP) and the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu). "We are relieved that this trial has come to a conclusion, as it has been distressing not only for the families involved, but also for the alliance and the country as a whole," said the alliance statement.
The joint action could signal reluctance from the ANC's top brass to wholeheartedly endorse Zuma's acquittal and welcome him back into the fold.
In a further indication of difficulties likely to face the ANC, President Thabo Mbeki yesterday released a terse statement saying he "respects the independence of the judiciary and accepts the verdict".
While Zuma remains politically dented after a damaging trial during which his judgment in matters personal and sexual came under intense scrutiny, Zuma's acquittal and the jubilant street reaction to it will send a signal to the ANC hierarchy that he remains the party's most popular leader. Yesterday's victory will also bolster Zuma's mood and further galvanise popular support around him.
Since Zuma voluntarily stripped himself of the responsibilities and powers of the ANC post following the rape charge being laid last December, there would be no reason for continuing the suspension in the event of an acquittal, supporters said.
Now that his exoneration has come to pass, Zuma is expected to demand his office back today when he makes a detailed public statement on his future.
A return to full office will immediately give Zuma unfettered access to the ANC's resources, its highest decision-making structures and will reunite him formally with his mass base. The ANC had barred Zuma from speaking or acting as the party's deputy leader.



Zuma's five-month absence from the party's national executive and national working committees strengthened his opponents in the ANC. He appeared increasingly isolated and was silenced at a time when his supposed sympathisers came under pressure in the party. An example was the release of intelligence inspector-general Zolile Ngcakani's controversial report that led to the sacking of former spy boss Billy Masetlha and others thought to be sympathetic to Zuma.
His corruption trial is likely to be tougher to beat. The ball has been pushed back into the ANC hierarchy's court.
Whether Zuma can dust himself off and gain enough momentum to relaunch his presidential campaign remains to be seen.

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