Juju's R16 m house 'a lie'

ANC Youth League president Julius Malema says reports that he is building a R16million house are lies.

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

"'They are spreading stupid and pathetic lies about the leadership of the ANC Youth League in a fashion that undermines the intellectual capacity of South African people."

Malema claimed that he was a poor South African and was able to have a house and a vehicle be- cause he was considered creditworthy by banks.

"I remain poor but I am creditworthy. That house in Sandton, not the one it is alleged I am building, and the car, are owned by Absa. If I do not pay, Absa would be happy to take the house from a man who is leading a nationalisation campaign because (Absa CEO) Maria Ramos does not want nationalisation," he said.

He admitted he had business interests but refused to reveal details because he was not a public representative. "I'm a private citizen and I am not accountable to the media. " he said.

He said he was willing to subject himself to a life-style audit. "It will however be problematic if such decisions are taken because the DA or any other right-wing political party has given the instruction," he said.

SA Revenue Service spokesperson Adrian Lackay refused to confirm whether a life-style audit of Malema was being done.

Malema said the poor people he represents had no qualms about his house and the vehicle he drives.