The cost of the ceremony was to be paid by Zuma with there being no government expenditure involved, spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

The Presidency has asked that the couple and the family’s privacy be respected.

Maharaj said reports in the media suggesting the state bore the maintenance costs of Zuma’s wives was incorrect.

“The spouses pay their own living or household expenses, be it food, mortgages, lights, water and so forth. Nothing is paid for by the State in the four households of the spouses. They live in private homes,” he said.

The presidency did provide logistical and administrative support for spouse participation at state and official functions and provided a total of 60 domestic economy class flights per a year for child and child-minder travel. Transport costs for school-going children were also included.