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Remember Khwezi

Simamkele Dlakavu, one of four protesters who upstaged President Jacob Zuma’s address at the IEC’s election results announcementlast night. The quartet, who were reportedly accredited for the event as EFF campaigners, held placards honouring Khwezi, the woman who accused Zuma of rape in 2006. Pic: Simphiwe Nkwali. © Sunday Times
Simamkele Dlakavu, one of four protesters who upstaged President Jacob Zuma’s address at the IEC’s election results announcementlast night. The quartet, who were reportedly accredited for the event as EFF campaigners, held placards honouring Khwezi, the woman who accused Zuma of rape in 2006. Pic: Simphiwe Nkwali. © Sunday Times

The Treatment Action Campaign has urged members of society to remember Khwezi as an activist.

Khwezi‚ whose real name is Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo‚ is the woman who made headlines in 2005 after she accused President Jacob Zuma of rape. She died in hospital on Saturday following an illness.

Speaking shortly after Khwezi’s memorial service‚ held in Braamfontein on Friday‚ the TAC’s Patrick Mdletshe told TMG Digital that Khwezi was an important leader in the fight for the rights of people living with HIV and AIDS.

“The role of Khwezi as a community leader and an activist for the rights of HIV positive people since 1999 remains an important one. We want people to remember the name as one that also stood for women’s rights‚” said Mdletshe.

The private memorial service was attended by activists‚ Khwezi’s close friends and the media.

Mdletshe added: “The justice system continues to fail when it comes to fighting for women. Access to justice remains a reality for only a few and when you access it whether you will get justice as a woman in this country becomes another story.”

Zuma was acquitted of charges regarding the rape case following his trial in the High court.

Khwezi’s family has asked for privacy as she will be buried in Durban on Saturday.

Her family described her as: “A loving soul. A daughter‚ a sister and an aunt we will forever hold dear in our hearts. We loved her in life‚ let us never forget her after death.”

 

 

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