Axed deputy president Jacob Zuma’s attorney would not confirm or deny a report on Wednesday that his client fathered a son with Minah Shongwe, the sister of Transvaal Deputy Judge President Jeremiah Shongwe.
”I would rather not comment,” said Zuma’s attorney, Mike Hulley.
According to The Star newspaper, Zuma fathered Edward, son of Minah, 29 years ago.
The defence ”had some issues with him [Shongwe]”, Hulley told reporters after his client’s appearance in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday on a rape charge.
During that appearance, Zuma’s lawyers successfully applied for a postponement to March 6. It is not known which judge will preside over the case.
Asked if Shongwe would be able to preside over the trial because of his reported family ties to Zuma, Hulley said as far as he knows there are no set rules.
”But it would be undesirable,” he said.
Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe recused himself from the trial on Monday after the defence applied for him to step aside.
He told the court the presiding judge would be selected on seniority and that one of his two deputies should hear the trial. Deputy Judge President Phineas Mojapelo was not available because of personal circumstances, he said. That left Deputy Judge President Jeremiah Shongwe, who heads the Pretoria High Court.
However, he is unlikely to be chosen to judge the trial as it is probable he will also be asked to recuse himself. – Sapa