Presidency: Dubai story 'a fabrication'
The Presidency has described a Sunday Times story, which claims the controversial Gupta family bought President Jacob Zuma a mansion in Dubai, as "a fabrication".
The newspaper alleges the Guptas, who are at the centre of state capture claims, bought the president a R300 million "palace" in 2015.
This is the same year as President Zuma's son Duduzane bought a luxury R18 million apartment in the Burj Khalifa.
According to the Sunday Times, the house has 10 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a double grand staircase, nine reception rooms and space for 11 cars.
But in a statement this morning, the Presidency strongly denies the report.
"President Zuma does not own any property outside South Africa and has not requested anybody to buy property for him abroad. The president has also not received or seen the reported emails and has no knowledge of them."
This is in reference to leaked emails involving the Gupta brothers, which the Sunday Times says backs up its story. The newspaper claims the purchase of the house for the president has been confirmed by several independent sources.