Zuma apologises for unpaid flat bills

President Jacob Zuma has issued a statement of regret concerning the flat he owns in Berea, Johannesburg.

The Star on Wednesday reported that electricity was cut off at Saratoga Gardens, where the president and his ex-wife Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma apparently owned two flats.

“President Jacob Zuma regrets the situation around the flat he owns in Berea, Johannesburg, relating to unpaid bills and utility bills. The president had bought the flat on his return from exile and has not used it for many years,” the statement issued on Thursday said.

But Dlamini-Zuma hasn’t had any connection to the flat for about 13 years.

“We wish to point out as well that Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma no longer owned a portion of the flat since 1998 and has nothing to do with the flat.”

The Star said Zuma and Dlamini-Zuma owed the building’s body corporate about R120 000 for electricity, rates and water for the flats.

The paper also noted the building was in arrears of about R1.8-million for their municipal services, which led to the electricity being cut off in the building.

The president added that he was in the process of selling the property.

“It is being administered by his legal agent, who had been trying to sell it. The president has assigned his lawyers to urgently liaise with the property management agents with a view to settling the debts. He regrets the inconvenience caused to residents,” the statement said.