A Durban businessman who has been living rent free in a R35 000 a month Umhlanga Ridge penthouse for two years has pleaded poverty as he opposes a court application for his eviction from the R12m property.

The Sunday Times reports that Siqu Zungu, who is linked to the Umzinyathi Business Forum, is embroiled in a court battle against his landlord, who is trying to evict him.

Zungu lives in the four-bedroom duplex penthouse at one of Durban’s smartest addresses, which has panoramic views of the sea.

Landlord Blaine Bloy has approached the Regional Court for an eviction order against Zungu, who apparently owes him about R400 000 after he allegedly stopped paying rent in June 2021.

The matter is expected to be heard in court in November 2023.

‘(Zungu) has repeatedly been given notice ... to vacate the premises and despite numerous ... undertakings to do so, has failed to vacate the property, residing in unlawful occupation,’ Bloy states in court papers.

In his responding papers, Zungu says he is unemployed and struggling to provide for his family, who live with him.

The Sunday Times reports that he also says his financial situation renders him unable to find alternative accommodation and he may end up homeless should the court grant Bloy an eviction order.

Zungu said he moved into the property intending to buy it and paid the owner R3.5m as a down payment.

The owner denies this.

In his court papers, Zungu also calls on eThekwini municipality, which is party to the court case, ‘to provide my family and I with emergency housing in the event that an order is granted’.

The metro is yet to file responding papers.

Full Sunday Times report