Durban - Durban multi-millionaire power couple, S’bu and Shauwn Mpisane, bought a R2.9 million La Lucia house next to their Addison Drive mansion, razed it to the ground and are building a security compound for 20 guards.
Neighbours, however, say they received letters from the Mpisanes’ lawyers saying they were constructing an entertainment pad for their teenage son.
“They are calling it a teenage pad for their son. Basically it will be an entertainment area for their son,” said one neighbour.
The Sunday Tribune can reveal that construction is currently under way to accommodate a contingent of security guards from Inyanga Protection Services (which the couple own) that will provide security to their main house and the area surrounding the palatial home in Addison Drive.
It is believed that the compound will be Inyanga Protection Services headquarters and is going to cost R2m to build.
The moneyed couple made news earlier this year when they were acquitted of more than 100 counts of tax fraud.
Shauwn Mpisane was accused of inflating the invoices of her business, Zikhulise Cleaning, Maintenance, and Transport CC by almost R5m to cut her tax bill.
S’bu is a former eThekwini Metro police officer and Shauwn is the daughter of late ANC stalwart and Durban city councillor Florence Mkhize.
The flamboyant pair regularly throw over-the-top exclusive parties at their luxury three-storey home. They are known for their fleet of costly vehicles and for rubbing shoulders with SA’s A-listers.
The Sunday Tribune reliably learnt that the house at Moreland Drive in La Lucia, situated at the back of the Mpisane property, went on sale last year.
It is believed that the couple saw the advertisement and approached the owner.
Documents in possession of the Sunday Tribune reveal that the deal was made on January 15 and R2.9m was paid to the seller, L Manjee Family Trust on March 7.
An average house in one of Durban’s most exclusive suburbs goes for about R3.1m.
The Mpisanes paid more than the market value of the house on a 1 611 square metre plot which was R2.5m.
The new registered owner of 3 Moreland Drive is Mkhimpi Family Trust-Trustees. Registered under the trust are husband and wife, S’bu and Shauwn Mpisane, who are believed to be married in community of property.
The Mpisanes refused to comment on the matter.
The Sunday Tribune understands that the house was demolished last month.
When the Sunday Tribune arrived at the property, workers could be seen levelling the ground while armed guards from Inyanga Protection Services patrolled the area.
One neighbour said: “We got letters from the lawyers about three months ago informing us that he had plans to build a teenage pad for their son.”
The neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, said the Mpisanes were a very friendly family who loved their security.
“In the years that they have been living here, we have only seen them twice. They are really nice people. They like their security – they love high walls. Well, when you have money, you can do whatever you like,” said the neighbour.
A source close to the family said: “They are building a security compound for their Inyanga Protection Services personnel.
“The compound will house an estimated 20 guards that will provide security to the main house and the surrounding areas.”
He said: “It is going to be a standard house – nothing extravagant. There will be communal showers and a communal lounge.”
It is believed that the couple’s immediate neighbours have no objections to the project. “They submitted plans to the municipality as well as the deeds office, which were also approved. Everything is above board.”
The Sunday Tribune understands that the couple bought the property from the L Manjee Family Trust.
The house was purchased by L Manjee Family Trust- Trustees from the Moreland Estates (Pty) Ltd in 1995.
This is not the first time the super-rich couple have bought an adjoining property.
In 2007, shortly after they purchased their R12m three-storey home in Addison Drive, they bought the adjoining property for R3.5m.
It was reported that the couple converted the house into a showroom for their fleet of luxury cars, including a Maserati Pininfarina, an Aston Martin, a Porsche Turbo and a Ferrari, among others.
The couple own several other properties under the Mkhimpi Trust, including a flat in Sandringham Court in uMhlanga valued at R1.1m.
They also own three properties at Zinkwazi Beach on the North Coast, collectively valued at R3.3m; two units at Golden Beach in La Mercy, valued at R2.5m; and one at Elysium on the South Coast, valued at R600 000, according to earlier reports.
Sunday Tribune