‘Waving, greeting’ Zuma puts Jozi home on the market
● Jacob Zuma’s Johannesburg mansion is for sale at R6.5m.
The five-bedroom, five-bathroom home in Forest Town has four entertainment areas and a koppie in the garden. It was where Zuma was alleged to have raped Fezekile “Khwezi” Ntuskela Kuzwayo in 2005. He was found not guilty.
His spokesman, Vukile Mathabela, confirmed the sale, but could not say why it was being sold. “It is not a state home,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zuma faces mounting legal costs. He will again be in the high court in Pietermaritzburg on November 30 on corruption charges. At his last appearance, in July, it was disclosed that he had changed his longtime lawyer Michael Hulley because of costs.
The Forest Town house was bought for Zuma in 2005 by Hola Recruitment & Selection Services for R3.6m. The company is owned by Zephroma Sizani Dubazana, a former personal assistant to Zuma’s ex-wife, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. At the time Zuma was deputy president.
When the Sunday Times visited the house on Friday, Zuma was at home. His protection detail was outside in several black vehicles. A Firzt Realty “for sale” sign was outside the house, which is in a cul-de-sac in Epping Road.
Firzt consultant Rufina Mausenbaum said the house could be viewed by appointment. “It’s on the market for R6.5m. We have been instructed by a company to sell it,” she said.
Mausenbaum said reasons for the sale had not been disclosed. “It’s seldom that we receive reasons for sales.” She said the house was in an “incredibly secure” area.
A neighbour said Zuma had been a pleasant, respectful and quiet neighbour, “who kept to himself. When we did see him, he always waved and greeted us.”