CAPE TOWN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma on Monday denied allegations that he has sought residency in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"I would like to reiterate that I do not own any property outside South Africa," Zuma said in reply to questions in Parliament.
"Further, I have not requested anybody to buy a property for me or on my behalf abroad," the president said.
Zuma also confirmed that he has never sought any residency outside South Africa, either for himself or his immediate family.
The Sunday Times alleged last month that its reporters had made an investigative trip to Dubai last year, during which several independent sources told the newspaper that the Indian Gupta family had bought Zuma a palace worth 330 million rand (about 25.6 million US dollars).
The newspaper also based the report on leaked e-mails that were believed to originate from the Guptas, who allegedly keeps close ties with Zuma.
The alleged Gupta emails disclose that Zuma would leave South Africa to live in Dubai after retirement.
The Presidency has refuted the report, saying Zuma does not have any plans to leave South Africa, and he will be settling down in his Nkandla home, KwaZulu-Natal Province, when he retires.
Zuma has been accused of allowing the Guptas to exert undue influence in the appointment of cabinet ministers and the awarding of lucrative contracts with state-owned companies, known as state capture.
Both Zuma and the Guptas have denied the charge.
In his Monday reply to questions about a request by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela for remedial action regarding state capture, Zuma said he has instituted review proceedings against the remedial action and the matter is provisionally set down for a hearing in court from October 24-26 in 2017.
A proper investigation on these allegations will be conducted once the court has clarified the contentious issues, Zuma said.
