Zuma's former lawyer, tenant in R1,6m dispute Star's attempts to get comment.

A disabled man claims that his lawyer - who happened to be President Jacob Zuma's former attorney - has failed to build him a house and invest a fortune he won in legal damages. 

But attorney Julekha Mahomed says Lucky Khutledi was given his money. 

Khutledi says he is destitute and homeless despite winning R1.68 million after successfully suing the police 15 years ago for a wrongful shooting that left him paralysed. 

Mahomed has confirmed the award but has said - through her attorney Zain Randeree - that she owed Khutledi nothing. 

Mahomed told The Star: "Mr Khutledi cancelled a contract for the building of a house and was refunded the monies paid." 

Over several days this week, The Star asked Mahomed through Randeree to provide proof that the money was handed over to Khutledi. 

This has not been forthcoming. Instead, Randeree referred us to an earlier response sent in December in which he said his client was under no obligation to respond to the allegations, which "were devoid of any truth". 

"Our client represented Mr Khutledi in legal proceedingsagainst the then minister of safety and security. The court proceedings are a matter of public record under case number 1926/1995 in the then Transvaal Provincial Division of the High Court. 

"What is evident there from is that the gross settlement amount was R1.68m. Our client does not believe that Mr Khutledi is homeless and penniless," said Randeree. 

Khutledi claims Mohamed undertook to build him a house in Jouberton, Klerksdorp, in 1999. 

He has a document from what is described as an investment company - IWP Afrika Holding (Pty) Ltd - in which it is stated that the construction of the house "will (commence) and (be) communicated through his attorney, Juli Mahomed of Mthembu and Mahomed Attorneys". 

But Mahomed told The Star that "Mr Khutledi cancelled a contract for the building of a house and was refunded the monies paid". 

However, Khutledi claims that every time he asks Mahomed about his money, his erstwhile lawyer tells him the money was invested in IWP. 

A legal search on the company and its registration number reveals that the company does not exist on the SA companies register. Mahomed denied involvement with the company even though a letter on a company letterhead - supplied to The Star by Khutledi - states she is the attorney responsible in this matter. 

According to the letter: "Commencement and completion of the building contract with Mr Khutledi will be communicated through their appointed attorneys Mthembu and Mohamed Attorneys (Ms Juli Mahomed 011 487 2475)." 

Mahomed said Khutledi and his father Herman invested in the company, and were advised by an independent attorney and an independent firm of auditors, whose names she did not provide. The Star asked her to provide this information, but the requests remain unanswered. 

Randeree said she had "no involvement in those negotiations over the investment other than being instructed to effect payment to this company". 

She added that Khutledi owns a property in Yeoville and collected rentals every month. 

Khutledi denies this. 

"I have heard nothing from her for months about money, and she refused to take my calls. I had tried very often. I was in hospital recently and she told my brother I must go to the government hospital. I should be able to afford private medical care with my pay-out. Every time I ask her about my money, she says it is invested in IWP," he says. 

Khutledi and Mahomed's names were also dragged into the controversial Saratoga Gardens flats in Berea, owned by Zuma, in which he owed R120 000 in arrear levies and council services. 

Mahomed was responsible for the management of the flats. 

Khutledi has accused Mahomed of allowing him to stay and collect rentals from tenants living in the two flats while "awaiting" a new house. 

"She knew I was collecting money to live on. She never asked me for the rent money. She was not giving me much money and I always had to beg for it. She often didn't return my calls," he said. 

Khutledi says he was living in one of the one-bedroom flats with nine people. He no longer lives in the flat. 

Mahomed said she was not aware that Khutledi was collecting rentals. 

Following an article in The Star in December, Zuma quickly apologised, saying he had handed the flats over to managing agents and was not aware of the arrears. 

Since then R21 204 and R70 000 has been deposited into the flat administrator to deal with the arrears. 

The Star has been trying, since December 9 last year, to get further clarification, to no avail. We asked why Julekha Mahomed partially settled the arrears on the two Saratoga gardens flats out of her personal account. We also asked for proof that the compensation money was paid over to Lucky Khutledi. We have sent five e-mails to her and her attorney, and an SMS informing her of the e-mails which were sent. 

The only reply we received from her attorney, Zain Randeree, was: "My client has contracted malaria and I cannot respond further without firm instructions. I refer you to the letter of December 9, 2011, as this outlines my client's earlier instructions." 

The earlier letter clarified certain issues, but clearly states: "[bar]our client will not engage in any further correspondence with you on this matter, and to the extent that Mr Khutledi alleges any claims against our client, then he is entitled to address our client directly in respect of those claims, and our client will gladly assist to the extent possible."