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Zuma remarks inundates AIDS help line

    JOHANNESBURG

    South Africa's National AIDS help line says it has been flooded with calls from people seeking clarity on former deputy president Jacob Zuma's remarks about HIV prevention.

    Zuma, currently on trial for sexual assault, told the Johannesburg High Court he had unprotected consensual sex with his HIV-positive accuser, because he knew the risk of infection would be minimised by the shower he took straight after.

    Laurence Mokoua, of the help line, confirmed that telephone lines had been backed up with the concerns callers who were evidently confused by Zuma's statements.

    "Looking at [Zuma's] statement myself I can say that it has the potential to mislead people," he told the South African Press Association.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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