PARLIAMENT’s ad hoc committee on Nkandla has resolved to recall Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi to appear before it to clarify some of the matters relating to the security and nonsecurity upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s private residence.
Members of the ad hoc committee this week visited Mr Zuma’s Nkandla residence for an in loco inspection. The members all agreed that the R246m spent on the upgrades could not be justified and that there was evidence of shoddy workmanship and incomplete construction.
"The presentation by (the) police minister this past Tuesday did empower the committee, but members feel that he needs to come back and clarify some of the concerns that emerged during the committee site visit to Nkandla on Wednesday," said Cedric Frolick, ad hoc committee chairman and African National Congress (ANC) MP.
Mr Nhleko’s briefed the committee on his controversial report absolving Mr Zuma from repaying any of the money spent on the upgrades. The report has been described by opposition MPs as a whitewash.
Mr Nhleko’s report released earlier this year directly contradicts the findings of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who said Mr Zuma had improperly benefited from the nonsecurity construction at his home and should pay back some of the R246m spent.
Mr Frolick said that there were many questions committee members also needed to pose to the public works minister as the political head of a department that was tasked with overseeing contractual obligations between the state and building contractors.
"Members want to know who was responsible for this gross inflation of prices at the Nkandla project so that those found liable should reimburse the state," Mr Frolick said.
With the committee expected to table its report to the National Assembly by August 7, Mr Frolick said the intention was to call the two ministers by no later than next week in order for the committee to meet its deadline.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) charged on Thursday that despite the general acceptance that money was wasted on the upgrades, the ANC in the ad hoc committee was "inexplicably determined to ensure that the president is absolved of all liability in this regard".
"The fact is that almost a quarter of a billion rand of taxpayers money has already been spent on these upgrades, for very little added value by way of security measures. Some of these upgrades undoubtedly add value to the president’s private residence," said DA federal executive chairman James Selfe.
He said the ANC in the committee persisted in attempting to depict Mr Zuma as the victim.
"Nothing could be further from the truth. The facts are that R246m has been spent on upgrading, improving and securing the private home of the president. Whether or not the work done is of good quality, and whether or not it is in fact lavish, is irrelevant. The fact remains that the president has and will continue to receive the benefit thereof, long after he is no longer president," Mr Selfe said.
President Jacob Zuma's residence in Nkandla. Picture: SOWETAN/SUNDAY WORLD
PARLIAMENT’s ad hoc committee on Nkandla has resolved to recall Police Minister Nathi Nhleko and Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi to appear before it to clarify some of the matters relating to the security and nonsecurity upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s private residence.
Members of the ad hoc committee this week visited Mr Zuma’s Nkandla residence for an in loco inspection. The members all agreed that the R246m spent on the upgrades could not be justified and that there was evidence of shoddy workmanship and incomplete construction.
"The presentation by (the) police minister this past Tuesday did empower the committee, but members feel that he needs to come back and clarify some of the concerns that emerged during the committee site visit to Nkandla on Wednesday," said Cedric Frolick, ad hoc committee chairman and African National Congress (ANC) MP.
Mr Nhleko’s briefed the committee on his controversial report absolving Mr Zuma from repaying any of the money spent on the upgrades. The report has been described by opposition MPs as a whitewash.
Mr Nhleko’s report released earlier this year directly contradicts the findings of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who said Mr Zuma had improperly benefited from the nonsecurity construction at his home and should pay back some of the R246m spent.
Mr Frolick said that there were many questions committee members also needed to pose to the public works minister as the political head of a department that was tasked with overseeing contractual obligations between the state and building contractors.
"Members want to know who was responsible for this gross inflation of prices at the Nkandla project so that those found liable should reimburse the state," Mr Frolick said.
With the committee expected to table its report to the National Assembly by August 7, Mr Frolick said the intention was to call the two ministers by no later than next week in order for the committee to meet its deadline.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) charged on Thursday that despite the general acceptance that money was wasted on the upgrades, the ANC in the ad hoc committee was "inexplicably determined to ensure that the president is absolved of all liability in this regard".
"The fact is that almost a quarter of a billion rand of taxpayers money has already been spent on these upgrades, for very little added value by way of security measures. Some of these upgrades undoubtedly add value to the president’s private residence," said DA federal executive chairman James Selfe.
He said the ANC in the committee persisted in attempting to depict Mr Zuma as the victim.
"Nothing could be further from the truth. The facts are that R246m has been spent on upgrading, improving and securing the private home of the president. Whether or not the work done is of good quality, and whether or not it is in fact lavish, is irrelevant. The fact remains that the president has and will continue to receive the benefit thereof, long after he is no longer president," Mr Selfe said.
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