Zimbabwe strongman President Robert Mugabe owns a multi-million dollar mansion in Malaysia which he bought in 2005.

According to UK-based independent weekly newspaper The Zimbabwean , Mugabe and his family stay at the mansion whenever they visit the country.

However, the weekly did not reveal where the mansion is located. Nevertheless, it quoted a Malaysian source who had seen the property.

"He owns a mansion here (in Malaysia) which he bought two years ago. That is where he stays with his family each time they visit the country. They were here recently when he was on leave," said the source.

Mugabe, a close friend of former Malaysian prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has recently been accused of siphoning off millions of US dollars from the country's Reserve Bank.

The weekly added that Mugabe's wife, Grace, operates a number of businesses in Malaysia specialising in African attire and craftwork.

It said that Mugabe and the first lady own properties in a number of foreign countries apart from Malaysia and have business interests in China and Singapore.

Mugabe has been previously embroiled in a controversy over the construction of his RM48 million palatial home in Harare, Zimbabwe's capital.

Timber for Mugabe

Three years ago, it was alleged that the Malaysian government had "donated" timber for the construction of the sprawling complex.

Mugabe, in a 2004 interview with Britain's Sky News , said that the Malaysian and Chinese governments were providing partial funding for his lavish 25-bedroom mansion ( photo, under construction ).

The strongman, who has ruled the southern African country for the past 27 years, did not disclose the exact sum involved or when the money had been channelled to him but said Mahathir had also provided the timber for the structure.

The comments prompted outrage in Malaysia and former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad later confirmed Mugabe's assertion.

According to Mahathir, sawn timber used for wall paneling, which was worth less than RM100,000, was given to Mugabe.

While Mahathir said that he was willing to be prosecuted should this was considered an offence, the government had decided otherwise.

The construction of the controversial building has since been completed and Mugabe is reportedly spending most of his time there.