One of President Jacob Zuma’s many sons, Edward, is being sued for R1,5 million by Functions for Africa CC. The company says Edward still owes them the shortfall from his lavish wedding that cost R2,5 million at Tala Game Reserve in KwaZulu Natal last year.

Functions for Africa is the Durban-based wedding co-ordinating company that planned Edward’s wedding, where he married Phumelele Shange in October.

Their wedding reception catered for 500 guests, and included the politically connected elite like his dad, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula, suspended national police commissioner Bheki Cele, and Kenny Kunene.

Top quality whisky flowed in abundance.

The wedding even featured on popular television lifestyle show, Top Billing.

Functions for Africa brought their application against Edward in the Durban High Court yesterday.

Neither Edward, nor his legal representatives arrived at court. Judge Kevin Swain ruled that the case be adjourned to later this month, and Zuma was to pay the costs of the adjournment.

Functions for Africa wants payment of just over R1,5 million, plus interest of 15,5 per cent a year, from the date of demand that was in November last year. It also demands the costs of the application be covered.

IOL has the juice:

Paul Mann [Functions for Africa sole member] had sent a quotation of R2.7m for his company’s services in April last year to the couple. The figure was reduced to R2.5m and Zuma agreed to the terms and conditions in July.

Mann said his company normally asked for 80 percent of the amount as a deposit, but Zuma had only paid R1m. “Unfortunately and up to the date of the wedding, the respondent had not paid the full 80 percent deposit.”

He said that, despite not having the full deposit, he went ahead with the wedding because he was asked not to embarrass the couple.

“Due to the incessant pleading we went on with the wedding. His bride pleaded with me to continue with the wedding so as to not embarrass or inconvenience them.”

He said Zuma sent SMSes to him before the wedding in which he promised to pay, but he stopped taking calls or answering SMSes after the wedding.

An SMS sent by Zuma in September last year, the contents of which was annexed to the court papers, said “Brother Paul plis (sic) call all suppliers for me to address them at your offices as I have a delay in foreign funds. I know the stress I have injected (sic) in you is uncalled for but I am trying to do all on my own…”

A second SMS sent to Mann on October 6, a day before the wedding, states, “They have agreed to release today I am negotiating that they do it now.”

Mann said when he received no payment after the wedding, his attorney, David Vlcek, issued a letter of demand in November last year and Zuma’s attorneys SP Mncwango and Associates responded in December acknowledging the outstanding amount.

Mann also received another SMS from Zuma which said, “I don’t deny owing money, but it’s a matter of when to pay…”

The letter from Zuma’s attorney states: “Our client does not dispute that he owes an amount of R1.5m. He, therefore, instructed us to re-negotiate the terms of payment. Kindly give him until the end of January 2012. Our client will settle in full.”

Mann said he acceded to Zuma’s request and his attorney sent a letter confirming that payment should be made by midnight on January 31.

To cut a long story short, Zuma hasn’t paid, and Mann is now facing severe financial pressure as a result.

Jacob, discipline your son.

[Source: IOL]