A South African newspaper says former deputy president Jacob Zuma fathered a child with the sister of a judge who had been expected to take over Zuma's rape trial.
Zuma's attorney Michael Hulley has refused to confirm or deny the report that appeared in The Star newspaper Wednesday. But the Reuters news agency quoted a senior aide to Zuma who said the report was accurate.
Judge Jeremiah Shongwe was expected to take over the trial after the original judge, Bernard Ngoepe withdrew on Monday at the request of defense lawyers who questioned his impartiality.
The Star says Zuma fathered a son with Judge Shongwe's sister Minah 29 years ago.
It is now unclear who will preside over Zuma's trial when it resumes March 6.
The former deputy president is accused of raping a family friend at his home last November.
Once considered a likely successor to President Thabo Mbeki, Zuma was fired from his post last year because of a corruption scandal.
Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.