Julius Malema has today denied that he is building a R16 million home in the upmarket Johannesburg suburb of Sandown. Rather, he chose to insist, “Instead of being rich, I remain poor but credit worthy.” He declined to give details of his financial interests, saying he was not a public figure, but this may yet backfire on him.

Malema was responding to allegations in the Sunday Independent and Weekend Argus that he is building a mansion that would include an underground bunker, amongst other purported features.

A dressed-down Malema spoke to reporters at Luthuli House earlier:

A house costing R16 million to construct only exists in the imagination of right wing, narrow minded and obsessed white people who always think Africans cannot and should not build houses of their own.

Whether we are building a house or not does not belong in the media, and even if there was such a house being built it would certainly not cost anything close to R16 million.

He refused to give details about his financial interests, saying he was not a public figure, but this might turn out otherwise for him.

Shortly after the presser, Ferial Haffajee, editor of City Press, took to Twitter to voice her view on the matter.

Note that she points out some facts Julius may have overlooked:

Pvt Juju. SCA overturned Public Protector’s Oilgate finding on principle that the private is often public, esp when public funds involved.

SCA is an acronym for the Supreme Court of Appeal, in other words, the very top end of the law.

Although Sars spokesman, Adrian Lackay, said the revenue service wouldn’t comment publicly on the DA’s calls for it to conduct a lifestyle audit on Malema, he might still have to answer at some point.

There has been a growing concern, coming from both political and public interests, as to the origin of some of Malema’s more extravagant lifestyle choices recently.

Although he doesn’t deny having a few things, he says they belong to the bank.

Unfortunately, it’s the questions being asked about his ability to settle a bill of R78 000 in cash at a luxury game lodge on a reported R20 000 a month salary, that still need answering.

[Source: News24]