Zinhle Mapumulo

Zinhle Mapumulo

Social butterfly Khanyi Mbau denies she is cheating on her husband Mandla Mthembu after gossip started rumours that she is dating businessman Leroy Mquli.

Mbau and Mquli have been seen together at several public events recently. At President Jacob Zuma's daughter Dudu's 27th birthday party on Tuesday the pair did not leave each other's side.

The former Muvhango star laughed off the rumour yesterday, saying Mquli was a family friend who was "like a brother" to her.

"There is nothing going on between us. I know him through my brother Jeff and they are best friends. He is also my friend and obviously we hang out together when we meet at public events. Apart from that, I am a married woman."

Mquli owns a security company and provided his services at Zuma's birthday bash. He was also there as a guest and not as a VIP, as was Mbau, who arrived hand-in-hand with her close friend Mbali Ngweyama.

Mbau, who some believe left her husband after his recent financial difficulties, denied that she was now living with her mother in Bedfordview, east of Johannesburg.

"I have not left my husband. Yes, it is true that I was at my mother's house, but I was only visiting. I do not understand what the fuss is all about.

"My husband has not been attending public events lately so I decided to take my friend along."

Mbau's self-proclaimed millionaire husband is believed to be broke. The couple were kicked out of their elegant Raphael Penthouse complex in Sandton last week because Mthembu had reportedly defaulted on rent payments for three months - amounting to R400000.

Mbau looked stunning at Zuma's party, appearing in a R4200 little black number, which she said was "very cheap".

Birthday girl Dudu arrived in a sleek Aston Martin clad in a stunning red silk dress.