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Johannesburg - Durban multimillionaire power couple Shauwn and Sbu Mpisane’s marriage is rumoured to be on the rocks.
City Press has learnt that the Mpisanes are reportedly no longer living together in their multimillion-rand three-storey home in Durban’s up-market suburb of La Lucia.
Three well-placed sources told City Press that Sbu’s alleged appreciation of other women may have been one of the reasons for their separation.
“She couldn’t take it any more. She was gatvol and she suggested that they should part ways,” said one.
Another source told City Press that earlier this year, Shauwn, a businesswoman with construction interests, left her mansion to stay in the five-star Beverly Hills hotel in Umhlanga, while Sbu was seen “squatting” in a block of flats in Durban.
“Only people close to them know of their separation. They are keeping it hush-hush,” he said.
Neither Shauwn nor Sbu responded to all our calls and questions sent via SMS and email on Friday.
On paper at least, the two are still married. According to the department of home affairs marital status verification system, the pair are listed as married.
But the trouble between the two has allegedly spilt on to the soccer pitch. Another source claimed City Press that Sbu has not pitched up for Royal Eagles FC, a national first division team based in Durban, which they own together.
“I remember the last pitch inspection in July. He was nowhere to be seen, which was unusual for him because he is very hands-on at the club,” the source said.
“When we didn’t see him there we knew that there was trouble in paradise.”
However, it seems that since Sbu’s daughter, fitness trainer and TV personality Sbahle Mpisane, had a horror car smash early this month the two have put their differences aside and have been showing each other support. Sbahle is fighting for her life in Durban’s St Augustine’s Hospital.
Shauwn, who is not Sbahle’s biological mother, has been seen visiting her in hospital. Sbu has since pleaded with the public to put Sbahle, who suffered multiple fractures to her legs and arms, in their prayers.
“If you look at that accident picture, she should not have made it,” he said at the time.
Sbahle was in and out of the operating theatre and was still unable to speak, Sbu told Durban newspaper Isolezwe on Friday.
Shauwn and Sbu were once a flamboyant couple who were known for throwing lavish New Year’s Eve parties and rubbing shoulders with Mzansi’s A-listers.
In 2011, they threw a lavish four-day party to celebrate their anniversary. Politicians, businesspeople and celebrities graced their extravagant R5 million ancient Egypt-themed bash held at the five-star Fairmont Hotel and Resort in Zimbali. Although they forked out millions for the event, many questioned Shauwn’s wedding gown, saying it looked like she bought it in Chinatown.
The couple met in 2002 when Sbu was still a Metro Police officer earning about R15 000 a month, while Shauwn was a marketing executive at an oil refinery.
Shauwn worked hard to secure massive tender deals and co-owns various companies, including the Zikhulise Group, established in 2003. According to Zikhulise’s website, both Shauwn and Sbu are founders of the company.
The controversial couple once faced fraud charges brought against them by the SA Revenue Service, but these were withdrawn.
They are known for their taste in luxury cars and owned a fleet that included a Maserati Rapide, a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, a McLaren MP4-12C and a Porsche Turbo. However, two years ago, the vehicles were seized after they were subjected to a preservation order brought by the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit.
The couple was stripped of some luxury cars and homes. The current status of the case is not known.
They have since been keeping a low profile.
