South Africa's former deputy president says he's prepared to run for president, just a day after being acquitted of raping a woman he knew was HIV positive.

Jacob Zuma says he is immediately resuming his role as deputy president of the African National Congress, which will decide who will be its candidate in the next election.

Former South African deputy president Jacob Zuma reacts during the verdict in his rape trial in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday. (John Hrusa/AP)
Associated Press

"I've just stated that I am going to resume my activities in the leadership structures of the ANC," Zuma told a news conference in  Johannesburg. 

He also apologized for having unprotected sex with the woman and for suggesting that taking a shower afterwards was adequate protection against contracting HIV.

"I wish to state categorically and place on record that I erred in having unprotected sex. I should have known better and acted with greater caution and responsibility."

The judge in the case ruled that Zuma and the 31-year-old woman had consensual sex, rejecting her testimony as not credible and saying she lied.

During the trial, the woman testified she did not fight Zuma or scream for help during the alleged attack. She said she froze because she regarded Zuma, whom she has known since she was a child, as a father figure.

She also said she would never have agreed to having sex without a condom.

Zuma's own testimony drew controversy. He said the woman's decision to wear a knee-length skirt and later a kanga, a traditional wrap in Africa, showed she wanted to have sex with him.

Zuma still faces trial in July on the corruption charges that led President Thabo Mbeki to fire him as deputy president last year.