Nkandla - Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma's Nkandla residence. Source: Twitter @ewnupdates.

Home » Presidency Denies Reports of Nkandla Renovation Plans

Presidency Denies Reports of Nkandla Renovation Plans

The Presidency says it has “noted with concern a report in the Sunday Times newspaper about alleged plans by the Department of Public Works to renovate certain aspects of the President’s Nkandla residence”. The report claimed that the property, which was controversially upgraded for just under R250-million, is due to be refurbished “to repair shoddy […]

By SAPeople Contributor
23-04-17 19:27
in News
Nkandla - Jacob Zuma
Jacob Zuma's Nkandla residence. Source: Twitter @ewnupdates.

The Presidency says it has “noted with concern a report in the Sunday Times newspaper about alleged plans by the Department of Public Works to renovate certain aspects of the President’s Nkandla residence”.

The report claimed that the property, which was controversially upgraded for just under R250-million, is due to be refurbished “to repair shoddy workmanship and, once again, to address security concerns”.

The newspaper reports that Barnie Ntlou, Public Works Chief Director for legal services, confirmed to them that “the process has just started”, and that Police Minister Fikile Mbalula said “yes” to an sms question on whether he had received a briefing about the upgrade.

In a statement on its site, the Presidency said it wishes to “confirm and emphasise that there are no renovations of the private houses at the President’s residence at Nkandla currently and no government department has indicated any proposal for renovations.

“We also wish to underscore that no government department, including the Department of Public Works, will be permitted to renovate any of the President’s private houses in Nkandla.”

The Democratic Alliance (DA) said “not another cent of taxpayers’ money must be spent for the benefit of one man” and that the Presidency’s response was inadequate.

“The President must reject any and all future upgrades at Nkandla that uses public money – no matter how they are described or categorised. The South African people cannot be burdened with paying for any more upgrades, refurbishments or extensions at Zuma’s palace of corruption,” said DA leader Mmusi Maimane.

“As things stand, corruption charges pertaining to the previous Nkandla upgrades have yet to be instituted – 1131 days after I laid such charges in terms of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004. Until such time as these charges have been investigated, and those found guilty of wrongdoing are held to account, any talk of further upgrades is outrageous.

“It is shameful that a man who has single-handedly plunged our country into “junk status” should live in a palace of luxury, built and maintained with the people’s money. If Jacob Zuma wants refurbishments and upgrades, he must pay for it out of his own pocket.”

The last controversial upgrade at Nkandla infamously saw the Constitutional Court ruling that Jacob Zuma had failed to uphold, defend and respect the Constitution, and he was ordered to personally pay back a portion of the expenses.

>At the Chris Hani Memorial Lecture in Uitenhage, Eastern Cape, today, former Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas referred to Nkandla, saying: “it’s not only Nkandla, we have made many blunders, we have wronged our people…”