Mandla All Blinged Out - Millionaire to nillionaire
10 May 2009
Theo Nyhaba
big spenders: Mandla Mthembu and his flamboyant actress wife Khanyi Mbau seem to have frittered away all their lucre
‘They’d buy anything just to prove a point’
Everyone loves a rags-to-riches tale – but a riches-to-rags drama is even juicier skinner fodder.
Self-proclaimed millionaire Mandla Mthembu and his flamboyant actress-wife Khanyi Mbau might find themselves homeless.
This is after the couple were kicked out of the elegant Raphael Penthouse complex in Sandton, Jozi.
Sources close to the pair say things have not been rosy for Mthembu lately.
The couple was apparently told to leave their suite last week Thursday. And it is believed Mthembu’s belongings are locked inside their penthouse until they pay.
A source close to the couple says the Mthembus were paying R100000 a month rent for a fully furnished suite fitted with a plasma screen and DStv, a Jacuzzi, splash pool, a dining table that seated more than 20 people, five bedrooms, high speed Internet access, en-suite bathrooms, centrally controlled air-conditioners and a Sandton view to die for.
The source says they
owe close to R400000 after defaulting on their rent payments for three months.
According to another independent source close to the couple, the down-market Formula 1 hotel is the only place they call home at the moment.
“Those people are very careless with their money. They’d buy anything just to prove a point,” says the source.
Sunday World has also learnt that the Mthembu’s navy blue Porche 911 Carrera has been repossessed.
Mthembu denies that they have been kicked out. He says they have moved to a house in Morningside, which is near Sandton.
“There is nothing like that (being evicted). We have moved to a house because I need to play with my daughter on a lawn,” says Mthembu.
Another source says other residents and guests at Raphael were also complaining, especially when Mthembu beat up his wife.
“Khanyi screams dramatically and she would often run downstairs, where everyone was, when Mandla hit her,” says the source.
It does not end there. About a week ago Mbau walked out of a salon where she had done her expensive hair weaves without paying.
According to the source, Mbau told the salon owner she was going to the ATM, but returned only a week later to pay.
The source says for a businessman, Mthembu is always at home and never goes to the office.
“Even richer guys than him go to work. If he is not at a restaurant, he’s sitting at home,” says the source.
When Sunday World contacted Raphael Penthouse, a lady who asked not to be named confirmed that the couple had moved out.
“They don’t stay here anymore,” she said.
Mbau refused to comment when we called her.
Early this week our sister paper Sowetan reported that a warrant of arrest had been issued against Mthembu for owing R78000 in outstanding traffic fines.
