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New turn to Zuma trial

Johannesburg: The rape trial of South Africa's former Deputy President, Jacob Zuma, was thrown into disarray on Wednesday when it was claimed that the politician had fathered a child with the sister of the judge expected to hear the case. Defence lawyers objected to the appointment of Judge Jeremiah Shongwe reportedly because his sister Minah had an affair with Mr. Zuma three decades ago, which produced a son, Edward, now 29. The revelation jolted what has been billed as the country's most significant trial since apartheid, with an accusation of sexual violence tangled with a power struggle within the African National Congress. Mr. Zuma, denies raping a 31-year-old family friend at his home last year. —

© Guardian Newspapers Limited 2004

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