Party refers Nkandla document to Public Protector

President Jacob Zuma's home in KwaNxamalala, Nkandla. Photo: Khaya Ngwenya/City Press

The Christian Democratic Party (CDP) said it would refer a document, according to which R1.5 billion had been spent on President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla home and highway, to the Public Protector.

“Levels of mismanagement of taxpayers’ money have become such a daily occurrence that it seems as though government believes it that it has now been let off the hook,” CDP leader Theunis Botha said in a statement today.

“Too many questions remain unanswered. The fact remains that far too much money was spent and covered up as supposedly security measures.”

Yesterday Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi announced the findings of an investigationinto the money spent on Nkandla.

He said government had spent R206 million in total. The amount was made up of R135 million for “operational needs” and R71 million for consultants and security features such as bullet proof windows, security fencing, evacuation mechanisms, and firefighting equipment, he told reporters in Pretoria.

Botha said a document about Nkandla was circulated in numerous e-mails. This was the document the CDP would refer to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela. According to this document R1.5 billion, which included the Nkandla highway, was actually spent.

Botha could not say who wrote the document.

“We feel it is vital that the public protector evaluate the validity of the claims in the e-mail, before completing the Nkandla investigation,” he said.

“Accusations of such a kind have to be investigated. If what is in it [document] is true … it’s very serious. If people are spreading rumours … they need to be brought to book on it,” said Botha.

“South Africans deserve to be informed about what is really taking place.”

- Sapa