A picture of President Jacob Zuma’s private residence in Nkandla. Credit: AFP
President Jacob Zuma should pay R52-million for non-essential upgrades to his Nkandla homestead, the DA claimed.
“Based on her report, Secure in Comfort, the DA has calculated that the President is liable for at least an amount of R52.9 million for the non-security upgrades to his private residence,” Mmusi Maimane said.
The party broke down the figure as well, with R7.9-million for a visitors lounge, R2.3-million for a “fire pool” and parking, R1.9-million for a “a social node with a level terrace where a marquee can be erected”, R1.5-million for the construction and renovation of the President’s cattle kraal, R530 950 for a “retaining wall or amphitheatre”, R494 000 for a tuck shop and R30 000 for “mood lighting”.
“It must be emphasised that while the DA believes the non-security upgrades amount to at least R52.9-million, the remainder of the R246-million spent at Nkandla does not constitute legitimate expenditure by any means,” the party explained.
“The DA remains firmly of the belief that the upgrades to Nkandla, and the 785 percent cost escalation of the project from an initial budget of R27.8 million, represents corruption and wasteful expenditure of the highest order.”
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