DA says it wants proof that Zuma personally paid for Nkandla upgrades

DA says it wants proof that Zuma personally paid for Nkandla upgrades

The Democratic Alliance (DA) on Monday welcomed the announcement by the National Treasury that President Jacob has paid back R7.8 million for non-security upgrades to his private Nkandla residence, but maintains that it is only the tip of the iceberg.

Nkandla Homestead - AFP
AFP

National Treasury determined in June that the President should repay the amount after an order by the Constitutional Court, which found that Zuma unduly benefitted from the upgrades which include a swimming pool, amphitheatre and a kraal. 

  

"It is important that the President provides proof to the National Assembly, which he is accountable to, that he personally paid the R7.8 million, and that the VBS Mutual Bank is not a front. The President has a history of tapping into his circle of cronies for funds," DA leader Mmusi Maimane said in a statement.

  

Maimane said President Zuma has a history of relying on others to pay off his debt, referring to a draft KMPG report.

  

In fact, according to the draft KPMG report (State v Jacob G Zuma and Others), available on the Mail & Guardian website, Jacob Zuma has a history of relying on others to pay off his debt.

  

He said the president's payment was not the final chapter in the Nkandla saga.

  

"We have previously articulated that President Zuma is liable for R63.9 million in fringe benefits tax, and that he must release his release tax records in order to ascertain whether this tax has been paid or not. In addition to this, Mr Minenhle Makhanya, the chief Nkandla architect, must pay back the more than R155 million used to inflate the cost of the ‘security upgrades’ at Nkandla - which the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) 2014 report found him to be responsible for," Maimane said.

  

Maimane said they are also awaiting an update on the disciplinary hearing of at least twelves officials from the Department of Public Works, who were implicated in the Nkandla upgrades.

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