Paul Mashatile. Picture: SUNDAY TIMES
Paul Mashatile. Picture: SUNDAY TIMES

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AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) chairman in Gauteng Paul Mashatile moved to reassure the public that the party and the government would do justice to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report into expenditure at President Jacob Zuma’s private home in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mr Zuma was due to respond formally to Ms Madonsela’s report on Wednesday but has spoken out on the scandal, saying he did nothing wrong and would not pay back any part of the money spent on his private home.

Aside from trying to cast doubt over the report itself, the ANC Youth League has attacked the public protector personally over her report and investigations into the upgrades. Youth league leaders have called for her resignation, while ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has reprimanded the youth structures over some of their attacks on Ms Madonsela.

During a debate between political parties contesting the May 7 elections, held by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, parties found their debate on corruption quickly became a discussion about the Nkandla upgrades.

Mr Mashatile said the party respected the public protector’s office, as well as the process Ms Madonsela undertook when investigating the controversial project.

"There is nothing like the ANC not liking or not respecting the public protector. If you remember, we appointed her. We support her and when she compiles a report we will ensure that it is considered and implemented," Mr Mashatile said.

Democratic Alliance Gauteng premier candidate Mmusi Maimane said projects such as the Nkandla security upgrades "got out of hand’ because the government lacked accountability and had become complacent about corruption.

"So you only support the public protector when she agrees with you?" Mr Maimane asked Mr Mashatile.

"One of the issues that is clear is that when we talk of crime and corruption we are talking about crime. Often we don’t speak of corruption as a crime and we end up treating it in a special way."

Inkatha Freedom Party secretary-general Sibongile Nkomo said voters had a right and a duty, not only to ask questions about Nkandla, but to eliminate corruption "from the very top" using their votes.

"Why did money go to Nkandla? You are shareholders in the state. Were you told that your money would go there? We protect Chapter Nine institutions and we are happy Mashatile said they (government) would be acting on what the report says about Nkandla," Ms Nkomo said.

African Christian Democratic Party whip Cheryllyn Dudley said crime and corruption in South Africa became tempting because crime-fighting institutions established to hold the corrupt to account were not being protected adequately.

"We have some institutions which were put in place and some were taken out of place like special units investigating high-profile corruption. These institutions must be supported and taken seriously or we will always battle to fight the problem," Ms Dudley said.

Congress of the People secretary-general Lyndall Shope-Mafole said: "We are too tolerant of corruption. If Nkandla took place anywhere else in the world there would be an uproar. Where is the outrage in South Africa?"