Claims that one of President Jacob Zuma's wives had an affair with a bodyguard did not come from his family, said a statement apparently issued by a family spokesperson on Thursday.

"The President's family is united in distancing itself from these malicious reports about the first lady Mama (Nompumelelo) MaNtuli," said "family spokesperson" Khulubuse Zuma in a statement.

"No member of the family could have been the source of this misinformation."

The statement was issued after Ilanga newspaper carried a story based on unconfirmed allegations contained in a letter sent to the newspaper.

According to the newspaper, the letter said that MaNtuli, as she is known, had an affair with her bodyguard, Phinda Thomo from Dobsonville, Soweto, and that the paternity of her unborn child was being disputed.

The anonymous authors of the letter claimed that Thomo took his own life when the affair was discovered.

In Friday's statement, the Zuma family described the reports as a continuation of the attack on the person of the President and his political career.

"It is particularly shameful and alarming that the President's political enemies have now taken to masquerading as members of his family who spread malicious innuendo about him and his family."

The statement was faxed to Sapa offices in Johannesburg and had Khulubuse's name and his cell phone number on it.

Khulubuse confirmed late on Thursday that he was the writer of the statement.

Ntuli was currently with Zuma on his official State visit to India.

She had her water and electricity to her Durban house disconnected recently, after she apparently failed to pay the account.

It was reported that the eThekwini municipality was owed R9 564,87 in water and electricity bills from the house in which she was living.

Ntuli stayed in the Morningside house with her two children that she had with the President, as well as with other relatives.