Protector visits Nkandla

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was visiting President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead on Monday as part of her probe into its upgrade, the defence ministry said.

 

"The visit is an 'inspection in loco', as part of the investigation by the OPP [office of the public protector] into the work done by government departments on the security upgrade of the residence," the ministry said in a statement.

 

"The president has since acceded to the request for the public protector's visit to go ahead today, the 12th August, as per her request."

 

The decision to accede to Madonsela's request came after a meeting with ministers in the security cluster.

 

"The ministers and the public protector also discussed the security protocols related to the nature of the visit and the support that the public protector requires in this regard."

 

It was agreed that Defence Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula would accompany Madonsela.

 

"The visit is essentially that of the public protector and except for the support that the minister and the officials will give to her, they will allow her to proceed with her inspection.

 

"The public protector and the government have agreed that the necessary care needs to be taken to ensure that security is not compromised while this inspection takes place."

 

Last month, Madonsela was quoted as saying her report into alleged irregularities in the Nkandla upgrade was 99 percent ready.

 

 

- Sapa