Zuma's wife in a row with maid

Durban - A row is brewing between one of South African President Jacob Zuma's wives, Thobeka Madiba-Zuma, and a domestic worker after the 23-year-old woman last week laid a complaint of intimidation with police against the first lady who has since labelled the woman as being "disturbed".

According to the Sunday Times, the woman, who works for a Durban family as a domestic worker, had been taken in by Madiba-Zuma and allowed to stay in her Durban home for four months.

However, Madiba-Zuma allegedly had the woman escorted off her premises when it emerged she was being investigated for theft and assault.  She was forced to leave "amid fears that she was a threat to the family's safety and security".

On Tuesday, however, the woman showed police officers "two threatening cellphone text messages" sent to her from Madiba-Zuma's cellphone.

Provincial police spokesperson Captain Thulani Zwane confirmed that a case of intimidation had been opened against the president's wife. He said that no arrest had been made but declined to comment further.

When asked to comment, Madiba-Zuma said she was unaware of the complaint laid against her. "But I welcome the law to take its full course.

"This is clearly a disturbed young girl who needs help. "