Paul Mashatile's Son-in-Law Settles GPF Debt After 13-Year Stalled Housing Project in Johannesburg
- Nceba Nonkwelo, son-in-law of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, settled outstanding debts with the Gauteng Partnership Fund following loans granted between 2013 and 2017
- His companies received R7.2 million in loans plus R5.4 million in interest for a housing project that was later irregularly shifted to student accommodation
- A Highlands, Johannesburg site funded by the GPF remains completely undeveloped 13 years on after undetected rock formations blocked construction
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JOHANNESBURG — A housing project in Highlands, Johannesburg, has sat untouched for 13 years after undetected rock formations rendered the site unbuildable, despite millions in public funding having been channelled into it.
According to News24, Nceba Nonkwelo, the son-in-law of Deputy President Paul Mashatile, has reached a settlement with the Gauteng Partnership Fund (GPF) over a series of loans extended to his companies between 2013 and 2017. GPF stakeholder relations officer Andile Ndlovu confirmed that the agreed funds had been repaid in full in accordance with the terms of the settlement.
Loans shifted without legal basis
Nonkwelo's companies drew R7.2 million from the GPF, with a further R5.4 million in interest accruing. The funding was originally approved for an affordable housing development during Mashatile's time as Gauteng Human Settlements MEC. However, the project's purpose was subsequently changed to student accommodation without the proper legal procedures being followed.
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A subsequent investigation by GMI Attorneys identified potential negligence by both the GPF and Nonkwelo Investments, noting that neither party conducted adequate geological surveys before the funds were approved and disbursed. Those oversights left the Highlands site stranded — the rock formations discovered on the property have made development impossible to date.
Confidential terms after failed court action
Court papers filed in January 2025 sought to enforce an earlier settlement agreement valued at R12.6 million. Rather than pursue further litigation, the GPF chose to enter mediation talks with Nonkwelo.
Nonkwelo, who bought a multimillion-rand mansion in Cape Town for Mashatile's use, confirmed that the matter is fully resolved and concluded, though the specific terms of repayment have not been disclosed publicly. Both parties signed confidentiality agreements that place the precise details of the arrangement beyond public scrutiny.
The Highlands property, meanwhile, remains vacant and undeveloped — a visible consequence of the due diligence failures identified in the GMI Attorneys' report, and a reminder that the original purpose of the funding, providing affordable housing, has yet to be realised more than a decade after the first loans were granted.
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Ramaphosa discusses Paul Mashatile's health
In a related article, Briefly News reported on Mashatile's health condition following his minor surgical procedure and extended absence from public engagements. As speculation grew, Mashatile's commitment to managing his responsibilities remotely showcased his dedication to his role, even amidst recovery.
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Source: Briefly News
