When South Africa finally ousted Jacob Zuma from his role as president, it felt somewhat like escaping an abusive relationship.

People danced in the streets celebrating the end of his nine-year reign, and in the 18 months since his policial power has slowly but surely dwindled.

Someone who is less chuffed with the demise of their relationship with Zuma is Nompumelelo Ntuli, one of his former wives, who says she has been screwed over by the NPA and the Hawks.

Technically, MaNtuli, as she is known, is still married to Zuma, but they have been estranged ever since she was accused of trying to poison him back in 2015.

Jacob, meanwhile, has moved on to younger conquests.

Reporting below from IOL:

…MaNtuli was accused of being involved in a plot to poison the former statesman, and was subsequently banished from his Nkandla homestead.

Now she plans to sue the NPA and the Hawks for “malicious prosecution” after she was implicated in the poisoning saga, an allegation she vehemently denied.

MaNtuli wants to force the NPA and the Hawks to disclose what information they had against her to warrant being put up as a suspect.

The NPA recently announced that they will not be prosecuting anyone in the case of Zuma’s alleged poisoning. Perhaps that’s good news, because it means they get on with sorting out the agents of State Capture, and so on.

In an interview over the weekend on Newzroom Afrika, MaNtuli also spoke about how she has been banished from Nkandla, and cut off from any financial support:

“I thought my husband knew me. It was a shock. I was subjected to machines (a lie-detector test). It has been five years of hell. We were moved to a one-bedroom guest house in Greytown to accommodate the children’s schooling.”

…[Her lawyer Ulrich] Roux said since being estranged from the former president, MaNtuli has not received financial support from Zuma or the state…

SIMPHIWE NKWALI/Sunday Times

In the interview MaNtuli further said: “My kids and I would sleep together on a double bed in this tiny room and house. We were cramped.

“I asked to return to Nkandla but (former state security minister David) Mahlobo’s official said I’m no longer allowed there. I felt abused and betrayed all these years.”

Roux also added that part of the lawsuit against the NPA and Hawks will centre on how she’s not receiving the spousal benefits she is due, as she is still, by customary law, married to Zuma.

Oh, and your man JZ isn’t exactly the most loving of fathers:

Roux said Zuma had only seen their three children twice in three years. “He’s not even interested in the children. She will retain primary custody of the children. I don’t have any instructions to bring in any application for full guardianship from my client,” Roux said.

Zuma has also shown little interest in being involved in the life of the child he fathered with Sonono Khoza, out of wedlock back in 2009 when he was still president.

Khoza is also the daughter of Orlando Pirates boss Irvin “The Iron Duke” Khoza, one of Zuma’s long-time friends.

I guess he’s only interested in the kids who help him out in his business dealings.

[source:iol]