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Rabiya Parekh | 17:48 UK time, Monday, 8 May 2006

We're close to airtime now and I'm just preparing the ground to get your comments live up on this site as they come in.

We're starting off the programme by looking at future for Jacob Zuma, South Africa's former Deputy President who has today been found not guilty of rape charges against him.

We started off by talking to Cameron Duodo, a writer on African affairs in London. He said the White population of South Africa will be very upset at this verdict. He said the way he exposed himself, didn't do him any favours.

This trial was the last straw in as far as Mr. Zuma's political future is concerned.
Sebati , Pasadena

Jean Jacque Corniche, a presenter on 702 talk radio in Johannesburg said he wasn't that surprised at the verdict, and many people he had spoken to over the last few days didn't feel he would be let off. But he said the trial had predictably divided communities in SA.

Ayaan Osmann writes for womens weekly newspaper in South Africa, she said this case highlighted the issue of the treatment of rape victims in South Africa. But Cameron said in this case, the women involved was caught up in highly political situation, which was always going to prove difficult to deal with in a court of law.

Jacob Zuma might have won in a court of law but surely he has lost in the court of public opinion. Zuma isn't fit to hold a public office because this case has gravely injured his morality. What message did Zuma send to millions of South Africans when he said he showered to prevent HIV/AIDS infection? If he were to become the president of South Africa, would he be the right man to lead the fight against HIV/AIDS?
James Wachai - Kansas, USA

We also had this text in from Switzerland:

What a shocking report that sexual cause is still happening in Liberia especially as it was discovered 4 years ago. These people should be put no trial as they would be in the developed world and if convicted should go to prison.

Mark in Cape Town called to say

The publicity in the media was so intense and one had the feeling that the verdict would always be not guilty, I was not surprised. My feeling has always been that Zuma has so much support in SA...In a way it is sad that people overlook the comments that he has made throughout the trial.

Fiona in the UK emailed to say

It is a sad day that a woman who has the guts to stand up to "prominent" man has her reputation pulled apart AND he is found innocent. Rape and women rights in SA will never be taken seriously. What example is this to rapists and their poor victims? It has been an atrocity from the start.

Ros asked what the legacy of this trial will be. Ayaan said that the spirit of a woman has already been broken and it's important to note that she cant get that back. JJ said that it demonstarted that the judicary in SA works, but there is still a way to go.

And we have just had this text in from Ekayu in Uganda.

Mr Jacob Zuma should shelve his presidential aspirations. His integrity has been soiled and would affect the image of the country and Africa as a whole.

Cha texted in to say

Though Jacob Zuma is acquitted his reputation will never recover. Lets hope that intellect and not power had the final say to the acquittal decision.

And this from Pauline in Tanzania

I think justice prevailed today. Jacob Zuma is now free to get on with his daily life.

Egyptian blogger

On Sunday our colleague Kevin Anderson recieved a text message from Egyptian blogger Amr Gharbeia, telling us that Alaa Abd El-Fatah, a blogger who has spoke to us before on World Have Your Say, had been detained by the Egyptian authorities.

Amr said there were eight arrested in total, and Alaa will be held for fifteen days for interogation. Haitham Sabbah, Middle East editor at Global Voices, told Ros that theywere trying to get as much information as possible on Alaa's condition and not surprisingly bloggers were angry and worried. The next step he said would be to get hold of as many non-governmental organisations as possible to help Alaa and the others.

Ala's wife, Manal Hassan also joined us on the programme. She said she was very worried about him, and was able to see him for only a few minutes after he was arrested, but he seemed to be in good spirits.

We'll keep across this story and bring you any update we get on Alaa.

Australian miners

Before we went on air, Ros spoke to Helen Razer about a story that has kept Austalians on the edge of their seats. Two miners have been trapped a kilometre underground in the Tasmanian town of Beaconsfeild.

She said the miners were getting plenty of attention and had even signed book and film deals. She said it was the one thing that people nationally wanted to talk about on her programme.

Rown Dix of ABC News in Beaconsfield said the local news was also dominated with this story. He said people cant seem to get enough of the story, with listeners wanting to know every twist and turn.

He was down at the site and told us that the latest information was that rescuers were only moments away from reaching the miners, and he could see an ambulance and union officials making their way to the site.

Any update on that, we'll bring it to you.

Liberia

We also looked at the findings of a report alleging that aid workers, government officials and teachers in Liberia are exploiting women and girls, trading food for sex with them.

Ayaan stayed with us from the earlier debate on Jacob Zuma, and she said she wasn't shocked by what came out of this report. She said this is something that happens and mostly goes ignored. The UN she said, has always found ways of covering up stories like this.

Hanani in the UK said he too was not surprised. He had worked in Angola in the past and the same thing happened out there. Both girls and boys as young as 6 were regularly abused. He said the UN again was inactive to put a stop to this practice.

Kit in the United States said she was surprised that it even made a news bulletin, and in any country where there is poverty this does happen.

Some of your emails in that came in on this story

Life in prison for the guilty. It's so sick and perverted that it is beyond the comprehension of humanity. These predators should be locked away forever. Send a message. THAT will stop it. Michael Nowak, Indiana, PA, United States
If there is truth to these allegations that is horrible. Such treatment to women is despicable, but there is a special place in hell for those who would inflict such abuse on children. Jesse W. Horn - University of Kentucky

Wow, a busy programme and thanks for all your messages on our subjects. As always a reminder that you set the agneda so if there is anything you feel we should be talking about, get in touch!

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