Zuma dad for the 21st time
2010-05-31 23:18
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Zuma
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Rajaa Azzakanie, Die Burger
Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma may soon welcome another child - his 21st - into the presidential family.
On Monday the presidency did not deny reports that Zuma will soon be a father again.
His second wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli (better known as MaNtuli), is apparently expecting a child. There are rumours that her relationship with Zuma is on the rocks.
The news comes seven months after Zuma's child with Sonono Khoza, daughter of Zuma's friend and soccer boss Irvin Khoza, was born out of wedlock. Zuma acknowledged paternity of the child in February.
Officials in the presidency pulled a veil of secrecy around the latest revelations. Zuma's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said: "It is a family affair and I am not willing to comment on this matter."
Budget
He refused to acknowledge that the matter is in the public interest since taxpayers will have to support yet another child of the president.
Collins Chabane, minister for performance, monitoring and evaluation, said in March this year that the budget for the president's wives has doubled to R15m, from the approximately R8m that had been set aside for former president Thabo Mbeki's wife, Zanele.
The presidency also didn't want to comment on allegations that Zuma's relationship with MaNtuli is on the rocks.
Apparently there is also some tension because Zuma's third wife, Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, whom he married in December, stole the spotlight when she accompanied him on his state visit to Britain.
MaNtuli is currently in Nice with Zuma for the France-Africa summit, and will also accompany him on Wednesday when he leaves for India.