The woman, Fezekile Kuzwayo, who accused South Africa's President Jacob Zuma of rape 10 years ago has died on Saturday. The accusation turned to high profile case in the country.


The HIV-positive activist grew up around Zuma, who had spent about 10 years in Robben Island prison with her father, a member of the African National Congress (ANC), Reuters reports.

"It is with our deepest sorrow that the Kuzwayo family announces the passing of our daughter Fezekile Ntsukela Kuzwayo," Fezekile's mother Beauty Sibongile Kuzwayo said in a statement on Sunday without giving details on the cause of her death.

Zuma was acquitted in the case, keeping alive his hopes of becoming president, which he did in 2009.

Zuma pleaded not guilty to raping "Khwezi" at his Johannesburg home, but his lawyers said he did have consensual sex with the then 31-year-old woman.