Killarney Road in Johannesburg's northern suburbs appears to be an ordinary exclusive street at first glance. However, a closer look reveals a community of powerful players. The 155m long road borders Hyde Park and Sandhurst and is home to President Cyril Ramaphosa. His neighbours include EFF leader Julius Malema, Bellarmine Mugabe, the son of Zimbabwe's late president Robert Mugabe, and cigarette tycoon Adriano Mazzotti.
Businessman Hangwani Maumela's alleged involvement in the R2bn Tembisa Hospital corruption scandal has thrust his property empire into the spotlight. Ramaphosa's relationship with Maumela was revealed last year after the Asset Forfeiture Unit seized vehicles and art at Maumela's home. Ramaphosa claims he hardly knows Maumela but admits to being married to Maumela's aunt 47 years ago. Maumela's property empire includes a sprawling 6,547m² property bought in 2022 for R16m.
Images and videos showcasing Maumela's lavish lifestyle and luxury properties have fuelled public outrage. Another name linked to Killarney Road is businessman Bejani Chauke, President Cyril Ramaphosa's former principal political adviser. Chauke was served with a rule 10.6 notice by the Madlanga commission of inquiry, which is examining historical WhatsApp exchanges between him and the late taxi boss Jotham "King Mswazi" Msibi.
In February, Bellarmine Mugabe and his bodyguard Tobias Tamirepi Matonhodze were arrested at a property linked to the Mugabe family in Killarney Road. Mugabe pleaded guilty to firearm and immigration charges and was fined, detained, and deported to Zimbabwe in April. Zimbabwe media reported in 2017 that his mother, Grace Mugabe, bought a property on the road for R45m.
Property analytics firm Lightstone consistently places Killarney Road among Gauteng's most expensive streets. The combination of sprawling free-standing homes, tight security, and exceptional privacy makes it attractive to wealthy buyers. Identifying who owns what is not always straightforward, as many properties are held in trusts.
Nora Morekhure, sales manager for developers Limestone Properties, says the road's residents include some powerful international figures. Limestone bought a property and developed 10 high-end units, all of which sold within eight months for between R6.5m and R7m each. A four-bedroom cluster with staff accommodation fetches about R65,000 a month in rent.
Lightstone data records 72 property transfers in the broader area between November 2025 and October 2026, with a combined value of R562.7m. The area's high property values and exclusive nature make it a desirable location for wealthy buyers.
Key points
- President Cyril Ramaphosa is a resident of Killarney Road.
- Businessman Hangwani Maumela's alleged involvement in a corruption scandal has drawn attention to his property empire.
- The road is home to various influential figures, including politicians and business leaders.
Reporting sources
- TimesLIVE · TimesLIVE
