Zimbabwe: Did you know that Mugabe has a R200 million mansion in South Africa?

Photo by: www.newsdzezimbabwe.co.uk 

Mugabe's Multi-Million Rand Sanctuary Almost Complete.

President Robert Mugabe's plush R200 million mansion is nearly complete and ready for occupation, reports from South Africa suggest.

Located on the coast of Ballito, next to the Zimbali golfing estate, the property is described as 'set for royalty', boasting two man-made lakes, 'lush vegetation', 'extensive parking areas' and unique Indonesian Balinese architecture.

Security-wise, the property is reportedly a heavily guarded fortress with bulletproof windows and an underground bunker, leading to speculation that it is actually meant to be sanctuary for Mugabe when he leaves office.

The man behind this controversial development is Robert Mhlanga, a retired Air Vice-Marshall and a close friend of Mugabe who is heavily implicated in Zimbabwe's murky diamond industry.

Mhlanga has been embroiled in battle with South Africa's KwaDukuza Municipality, over building approvals for his development, as reported by SW Radio Africa in July last year.

Last year, the municipality obtained an order from the Durban High Court "stopping construction and occupation of the mansion", citing potential impact on neighbouring properties and the environment.

In response, Mhlanga argued that he had not sought to flout building regulations, had taken expert advice, and that one of the two properties on which the development was located was agricultural land, for which no building plans were required, while the other had been rezoned.

Mhlanga's lawyer, Lazelle Paolo, confirmed to South Africa's Independent Online on Friday that the building plans had not yet been approved.

The paper also reports that KwaDukuza council has indicated that although the issue over the building plans was still unresolved, the court had ruled that the construction work could continue.

Mhlanga is not just a property developer. International human rights group Global Witness Mhlanga revealed that he is a key player in the murky diamond mining in Marange. The group revealed that 25% of the Mbada mining firm was given to a company linked to Mhlanga, a Mugabe appointee.