The leaked e-mails also confirm that Duduzane bought the luxury apartment in the Burj Khalifa for R17.8-million through one of the companies he co-owns with the Guptas, Wens Holdings Ltd.

The apartment is about 175m² and was acquired in December 2015 with a deposit equivalent to R1,778916.

The Burj Khalifa, billed as "the world's most prestigious address, home to a select few", is the tallest building in the world.

Serviced apartments designed by Giorgio Armani go for as much as R100-million and smaller studios for R10-million.

The Burj Khalifa boasts indoor and outdoor pools, state-of-the-art gyms, jacuzzis and sky bars and restaurants where patrons can take in spectacular views of the city and the Arabian Gulf.

Asked for comment yesterday, presidential spokesman Bongani Ngqulunga said: "President Jacob Zuma does not own a house outside the borders of South Africa. He has no intention of owning one any time in the future.

"As he said last week, when he retires he will return to Nkandla.

"He has not told anybody to look for a house for him anywhere outside the country.

"The president is unable to comment on correspondence, whether authentic or not, which he was not involved in and which was also not brought to his attention by anyone."

Mugabe's spokesman George Charamba yesterday confirmed that the Zimbabwean president had rented a luxury property for his son in Dubai.

"As a responsible father, President Mugabe rented that property for his son who was studying in Dubai. The property is no longer there," he said.

Emirates Hills boasts a championship golf course and "wide, sparkling lakes". The estate agent who claimed he sold the Emirates Hills house to Grace Mugabe told the Sunday Times anyone with a pile of cash could buy a villa in Dubai in no time, with few questions asked.

"If you've got money in the bank you can do a money transfer. If the money is in cash, which means it's not legit, we have to find other means. But it's not a problem," said the agent.

"People come here to buy properties with cash in their private jets. When the Saudis come here they don't come with credit cards."

Hiding ownership is as easy. "If you have to pay tax back in South Africa you just open a Jebel Ali offshore company. The company owns the asset, and you have shareholders. They will not disclose their identity to any government.

"If you have to declare it back home that's up to you. If you don't declare it, you don't declare it. There's no chance of a Panama Papers situation here," the estate agent said.

If Zuma took up residence in Emirates Hills he would be in illustrious company. Asif Ali Zardari, husband of former Pakistan president Benazir Bhutto, has a house there. Zardari was jailed for eight years for arms-deal corruption and money-laundering and moved to Dubai after his release in 2004.

Another resident is former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was deposed in a coup in 2006 and jailed in absentia after being accused of corruption, tax evasion and abuse of power.

Privacy, security, secrecy and discretion are the watchwords at Emirates Hills.

The estate is surrounded by high walls and fences, access is strictly controlled and surveillance cameras track visitors.

Inside, an atmosphere of moneyed tranquillity prevails, with residents jogging or cycling around artificial lakes, strolling down the broad avenues or driving past in Rolls-Royces and Bentleys.

Architectural plans must be approved by the developer, the state-backed Emaar group that also constructed the Burj Khalifa.

"People have discos in their basements for private parties," said one estate agent. "Kylie Minogue was brought in secretly to sing at someone's birthday party."

Some of the more established locals have a sardonic view of the constant stream of new arrivals.

"You need $20-million to $30-million to buy a property here," commented one resident sitting on a park bench feeding scraps to a swarm of cats. "Maybe you brought along some dirty money you want to wash?"