South
Africa’s opposition on Sunday called on the state ombudsman to widen a probe
into controversial $28 million upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s private house
after allegations that his brothers may have benefited from public funds.
Africa’s opposition on Sunday called on the state ombudsman to widen a probe
into controversial $28 million upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s private house
after allegations that his brothers may have benefited from public funds.
Democratic
Alliance parliament leader Lindiwe Mazibuko asked the so-called public
protector to extend the investigation into the spending on “Zumaville” to
include “the possible improper benefits afforded to members of President Zuma’s
family using state resources”.
Alliance parliament leader Lindiwe Mazibuko asked the so-called public
protector to extend the investigation into the spending on “Zumaville” to
include “the possible improper benefits afforded to members of President Zuma’s
family using state resources”.
A
newspaper reported on Sunday that it had court documents that suggested Zuma’s
brothers Michael and Joseph took delivery of electrical goods listed as part of
a project to renovate the president’s house.
According
to the Sunday Times, electrical company Voltex sold goods amounting to over
545,000 rand ($61,300, 47,200 euros) to Moneymine Enterprises, one of the
companies contracted by the government to revamp Zuma’s rural homestead in the
east of the country.
to the Sunday Times, electrical company Voltex sold goods amounting to over
545,000 rand ($61,300, 47,200 euros) to Moneymine Enterprises, one of the
companies contracted by the government to revamp Zuma’s rural homestead in the
east of the country.
The
paper said the documents showed invoices for electrical products “bought for
Michael’s and Joseph’s homes, as well as the upgrade of Zuma’s homestead.”
paper said the documents showed invoices for electrical products “bought for
Michael’s and Joseph’s homes, as well as the upgrade of Zuma’s homestead.”
“Several
invoices refer to the prestige project (Zuma’s house revamp), while some list
the name of the village… where all three homesteads are situated,” it said.
invoices refer to the prestige project (Zuma’s house revamp), while some list
the name of the village… where all three homesteads are situated,” it said.
The
two brothers do not live at Zuma’s Nkandla complex and have denied receiving
the goods.
two brothers do not live at Zuma’s Nkandla complex and have denied receiving
the goods.
Zuma’s
spokesman Mac Maharaj refused to comment, saying he only speaks on behalf of
the president, not his brothers.
spokesman Mac Maharaj refused to comment, saying he only speaks on behalf of
the president, not his brothers.
The renovations at Zuma’s rural home — which reportedly include a
helipad, underground bunkers, fencing and a clinic — have stirred a storm in
South Africa.
helipad, underground bunkers, fencing and a clinic — have stirred a storm in
South Africa.
Zuma insists he paid
for everything but the security facilities in the upgrade.
for everything but the security facilities in the upgrade.
The government has so far has kept silent on the actual cost of
“Nkandlagate”, as the revamp has been dubbed, saying the private home had been
declared a key point of national security.
“Nkandlagate”, as the revamp has been dubbed, saying the private home had been
declared a key point of national security.
