/ 5 January 2009

Zuma’s fifth marriage to take place ‘one of these days’

Jacob Zuma's plans to marry a fifth wife are under way, a media report said on Monday. Zuma has already paid lobolo for his fiancée, Thobeka Mabhija.

ANC president Jacob Zuma’s plans to marry a fifth wife are under way, the Mercury reported on Monday.

Zuma has already paid lobolo for his fiancée, Thobeka Mabhija, described as a Durban socialite.

Exactly a year after Zuma married his fourth wife, his bride-to-be will present gifts to Zuma’s family in Nkandla on Monday.

The bridal gifts she will present include items such as food and traditional liquor.

Zulu cultural expert Mpume Mbatha said this was the final stage in the preparation for a wedding, with the bridal family symbolically thanking the groom’s family for paying lobolo.

Sources close to the family said the function was expected to take place on Monday.

However, Zuma’s brother Michael, who confirmed that the Mabhijas would bring gifts, said the function would take place ”one of these days”.

The ANC’s Carl Niehaus told the newspaper there was no truth to the rumour. ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial secretary Senzo Mchunu was not available for comment.

Exactly a year ago today, Zuma married his fourth wife Nompumelelo Ntuli at his homestead in Nkandla. – Sapa