Former South African President Jacob Zuma was on Tuesday August 18, represented in court by his advocate Nqabayethu Buthelezi after being sued by his third wife, Tobeka Madiba over maintenance money for her and her schoolgoing daughter.
Zuma was dragged to the Durban Magistrate’s Court by Tobeka, who is demanding a monthly maintenance fee of R14 000 for the upkeep of their 14-year-old daughter.
Arguing at the Durban Magistrate Court, head of Zuma’s legal team Eric Mabuza denied claim of him not paying for the upkeep of his 14-year-old daughter.
Mabuza who countered claim of the former President not supporting his daughter since his split from his wife earlier this year, also pointed out that Tobeka has not worked since the child was born.
The hearing however ended without a final settlement. After the hearing which was held in-camera, Zuma’s legal representatives – Advocate Nqaba Buthelezi and Advocate Rudolph Mbalula refused to comment.
Tobeka also did not comment after the hearing as she was whisked away by members of the presidential protection unit, using a back exit.
The maintenance prosecutor, Thulasizwe Mahlobo said he could only divulge that the process was a mere mediation which need hearing from both sides and not a court case. He said;
“IT WAS JUST A MEDIATION PROCESS OF CERTAIN ISSUES THAT WERE HAPPENING AND THEN WE WERE JUST TRYING TO FIND AMICABLE GROUND… I WAS ONLY FACILITATING.
“I WAS ONLY FACILITATING AND I ACTUALLY DON’T HAVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE OUT ALL THE INFORMATION AT THE MOMENT UP UNTIL THE ATTORNEYS ARE HAPPY WITH BOTH SIDES AND WHATEVER THAT WE AGREED UPON.”
Mahlobo added that both parties will come back to the court in the near future for further deliberations in his presence.
He said;
“THEY ARE STILL GOING TO COME BACK. BOTH SIDES ARE STILL GOING TO TRY AND CONSULT WITH THEIR PARTIES (ZUMA AND MADIBA), THEN THEY WILL COME BACK TO ME. THEN WE WILL FINALISE EVERYTHING THAT WE DID WITH THEM AND WHAT ACTUALLY TRANSPIRED AT THE MEETING.
“MIND YOU, THERE WAS NOTHING THAT WAS DISCUSSED BEFORE BUT CURRENTLY, BOTH PARTIES WERE SUPPOSED TO PUT THEIR SIDES OF THE STORY SO THAT WE FIND AMICABLE GROUND. YOU SEE, THIS IS WHAT THE MEETING WAS ALL ABOUT.”
