The Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust said on Thursday it was not concerned about who presided over the former deputy president's rape trial, as long as justice was done.

"We are only looking at justice on that case," said Gauteng acting chairman Zobaphi Sithole.

"Whoever it is -- Judge (Willem) van der Merwe or whatever -- whoever it can be, it's okay."

Transvaal Judge President Bernard Ngoepe announced Van der Merwe's appointment to the case earlier on Thursday. Ngoepe recused himself after Zuma's legal team contended there might be perceived bias because of search warrants he issued for Zuma's home and his lawyers' offices.

Ngoepe said Deputy Judge President Phineas Mojapelo was not available because of personal circumstances -- later reported to be liberation struggle ties to Zuma. That left Deputy Judge President Jeremiah Shongwe, who heads the Pretoria High Court.

According to a report in The Star newspaper, Zuma fathered a son with Shongwe's sister 29 years ago.

Announcing that Van der Merwe would preside, Ngoepe said: "As I have already said, the next most senior judge will preside. That judge happens to be the Hon Mr Justice Van der Merwe; he will therefore hear the matter."

Zuma is accused of raping a family friend at his home in Forest Town in Johannesburg last November.

"There is an understandable huge interest in the matter.

I do hope, though, that we will, all of us, allow the trial to unfold in the most appropriate manner that it should; in particular, that the judging will be left to the judge," Ngoepe said.

"He will, at the end of the trial, give his full reasons which will be made available to the public as usual." 

With acknowledgement to Sapa.