© South African Presidency / afrol News

afrol News, 4 February - South African President, Jacob Zuma has confirmed fathering a child in an outside marriage relationship with the daughter of a local soccer boss, Irvin Khoza.

"I confirm that I have a relationship and a baby with Ms Sonono Khoza. I said during World Aids Day that we must all take personal responsibility for our actions. I have done so. I have done the necessary cultural imperatives in a situation of this nature, for example the formal acknowledgement of paternity and responsibility, including the payment of inhlawulo to the family," Mr Zuma said in a statement posted yesterday.

Mr Zuma who in early January married his sixth wife, however deplored the media for carrying out, what he said was a personal matter out of proportion.

He further warned that the matter was now between the two of them, and culturally, between the Zuma and Khoza families, even though he did not explain if marriage was one of the options in this relationship. He has already committed to another marriage expected before the end of this year to his seventh wife.

Also citing laws protecting children and their welfare, Mr Zuma criticised the media for carrying out the stories, saying it was inappropriate and actually put at risk the child and its mother.

Earlier reports had pointed out that the mother was denying that the three months baby was Mr Zuma’s, even though it was verified that the child has actually been given a Zuma family name.

Since admitting to fathering the child, the South African president has been criticised of hiding behind culture for his sharp appetite for women, with some critics even calling for him to be taken in for treatment for sex addiction.

Before taking over the presidency, Mr Zuma went through a rape charge cradle, though acquitted by the court, where he made revelations of his practice of unsafe sex with a woman he knew was HIV positive. He has since backtracked and led the national HIV and AIDS drive, which now critics are saying his latest admissions have cast a large doubt over his government’s seriousness on fighting the scourge.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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