Former deputy president Jacob Zuma has settled in Johannesburg, in a R3,6-million home in the leafy suburb of Forest Town, The Star newspaper reported this weekend.
Zuma was at home on Friday morning when The Star visited the upmarket neighbourhood, nestled between Parktown and Saxonwold, but was not prepared to comment.
The Financial Mail has reported that a trust recently bought the property, Idle Winds, for R3,6-million.
It quoted neighbours as saying they had seen Zuma entering and leaving the property.
Maggie Letlape, a domestic worker from across the road, said she had glimpsed Zuma ”from far away” and had seen ”many big black cars” arriving at the house.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said he had spotted police VIP protection unit cars coming and going.
”It’s a fact, as far as I am concerned,” that Zuma had moved in, he said.
Zuma had apparently become his neighbour about two weeks ago, when the ”for sale” sign on Idle Winds came down.
Asked for comment on the fact that Zuma, despite no longer holding office, still enjoys police guards, Minister of Safety and Security Charles Nqakula’s spokesperson Trevor Bloem referred all inquiries to the office of National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi.
But Selebi’s spokesperson, Director Sally de Beer, said Selebi’s office is not in the business of answering questions about VIP issues.
”We do not discuss those issues, especially for the safety of those involved,” De Beer said. — Sapa