Zuma and his family bankrolled by "friends"

President Jacob Zuma faces a grilling in parliament in coming weeks over disclosures that two Durban businessmen bankroll one of his wives' luxury lifestyles.
Opposition parties will use questions in parliament to try to get clarity from the head of state as to why businessmen who have backed him over the years are now picking up the tab for the eight-bedroom house in Durban's plush Morningside suburb in which his fourth wife, Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, lives rent-free.

Both the ID and the DA also want full disclosure about whether the two or other businessmen are covering the expenses of any of his other wives.

Controversial Durban businessman and alleged former NIA operative Erwin Ullbricht and multimillionaire Abdul Rahim Malek have been jointly picking up the tab for Ntuli-Zuma's home since late 2005.

Company records reveal business links between Ullbricht and Zuma's son Mxolisi Saady Zuma, one of five children from his second wife, Kate.

This week Ullbricht confirmed he had paid for Ntuli's expenses out of "love" for Zuma and did not expect anything in return.

Parliament's register of members' interests lists Ullbricht as paying for a lavish party for Zuma several years ago.

The 34-year-old denied receiving any government work and said nobody could compare his footing of Ntuli's bills to Schabir Shaik's corrupt relationship with Zuma, which led to Shaik being jailed.

Ullbricht is listed as a director of four companies, two of which he co-directs with Mxolisi Zuma.

These entities, Gedle Construction cc and Gedle Events cc, were registered in 2006.

Ullbricht said the companies he set up with Zuma's son had "never traded".

The Morningside house, which Malek bought in 1996 for R825000, has been occupied rent-free by Ntuli-Zuma since late 2005.

The company through which Ntuli-Zuma's lease is facilitated, Nxamalala Investments, is not registered.

However, the house is registered in the name of Howard Love Trust and Investment Company (Pty) Ltd, of which Malek is a listed director.

Ullbricht - who was raided by the Scorpions in 2005 in connection with Zuma's then corruption case - said he "facilitated" Ntuli-Zuma's rental of the house, near the presidential residence, King's House, and Shaik's home shortly after Zuma was fired as deputy president in 2005.

As president, Zuma has access to several state residences, as well as his Nkandla home - which is being upgraded at taxpayers' cost - and a salary of R2.245-million a year.

This week it was reported that lawyers representing Malek had written to Ullbricht giving Ntuli-Zuma - who runs several businesses - until March 31 to move out since the home had been sold.

However, on Friday, Ullbricht said the notice had been withdrawn by Malek and that Ntuli-Zuma would continue living there with her two children and other relatives of Zuma.

Asked why he was bankrolling one of the first ladies when she had business interests of her own, Ullbricht said: "I have no knowledge of any businesses interests on her part ... That has nothing to do with me. "

Malek said he had provided the house for Ntuli-Zuma for five years in support of the president because he was being sidelined by the ANC leadership at the time after being dismissed from government.

"He is a good man who is doing something for the poor. He is the poor man's friend," said Malek.

He added that he had "absolutely" no business relationship with the government.

DA leader Helen Zille said: "It is really important to know who, if anyone, is bankrolling the president and his family."

Zille said the DA parliamentary contingent would raise questions in parliament around the benefits from Ullbricht and Malek.

She added that the DA would also check whether any of Zuma's other wives were being paid for by third parties.

About Erwin Ullbricht

Young Ullbricht calls himself Zuma's "adopted" son, and always lurks in the background whenever Zuma appears at public events. He regards Zuma as a mentor and says he has a direct line to the ANC president.

He is often seen on the fringes of Zuma functions, talking on his cellphone. Described in media reports as a wealthy businessman who bankrolls Zuma, Ullbricht has no discernable business empire, but says he spent about R60 000 on a bash for Zuma's 62nd birthday and apparently partly organised Zuma's 65th birthday celebrations.

He is from Treasure Beach, a working-class suburb in Durban. Ullbricht once worked for Vivian Reddy, marketing his Newcastle casino.

Ullbricht's home was raided by the Scorpions in connection with documents relating to Zuma and he was investigated in connection with a curious plot reported in the Durban media as an attempt to assassinate KZN Judge President Vuka Tshabalala.