Edward Zuma’s mom dies

EDWARD Zuma’s mother, Minah Shongwe, died in Swaziland on Tuesday after a long illness.

The affair between Shongwe and former president Jacob Zuma during the liberation struggle years resulted in their having one child, Edward, 41 years ago.

Shongwe is also the sister of acting Deputy President of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Judge Jeremiah Shongwe, who famously recused himself from Zuma’s rape trial in 2006.

He had been assigned to the case by then- judge president Bernard Ngoepe.

Yesterday, Edward said he had been saddened by his mother’s death. “But I’m strong and I will go to Swaziland to bury her and pay my last respects,” he told The Mercury last night.

He drove to Swaziland last night, saying his father was going to join him on Saturday.

Edward has not been to Swaziland in many years after authorities there banished him for his relentless criticism over the lack of democratic reforms.

But he said he had received immunity from the king to enter the kingdom for a few hours for the funeral.

“I applied through SADC (SA Development Community),” he said. – Nathi Olifant