The African National Congress Women’s League (ANCWL) on Monday sent condolences to the family of Fezeka Ntsukela Kuzwayo, the HIV-positive woman who accused President Jacob Zuma of rape 10 years ago.

The league also warned the media not to “politicise” the matter.

“The ANCWL has received numerous enquiries concerning the passing of Fezeka. First and foremost a life has been lost and as an organisation we respect the request by the family to mourn their loved one privately,” the organisation said in a statement.

“The ANCWL humbly requests the media to refrain from politicising the matter and handle it with the sensitivity it deserves,”

“As Africans we must respect the family in mourning, we further urge South Africans at large to respect the soul of the deceased and allow her to rest in peace with no undue speculations.”

Kuzwayo widely known as “Khwezi”, a name given to her by media during the 2006 rape trial, accused Zuma of raping her at his home in Johannesburg.

Zuma was acquitted of the rape charges and has argued that it was consensual sex, infamously adding that he had a shower to prevent HIV transmission.

Kuzwayo died on Saturday. The cause of death has not been made public.

The ANCWL said it has been “hounded” by media for comment on Kuzwayo’s death.

“We condemn the members of the media for hounding our leadership for comments on the matter. The Secretary General of the ANCWL, Cde Meokgo Matuba has responded to questions imposed on her by the media. However, the ANCWL requests not to be dragged into these discussions. Let’s all allow the family to mourn privately.”

The Kuzwayo family said a private funeral service would be held, followed later by a public memorial service.

After the trial Kuzwayo, who was under pressure from Zuma supporters, maintained that she had been raped. For her own safety she sought refuge in the Netherlands. She returned to South Africa in 2014.