Criminal charges should now follow on PP's Nkandla report

It is clear from the report of the Public Protector (PP) that taxpayer's money was misappropriated and used through which President Jacob Zuma had personally been enriched and criminal charges should now follow from the report, Dr. Pieter Groenewald, the FF Plus' parliamentary leader said.

According to Dr. Groenewald, President Zuma should immediately repay  taxpayer's the money used to pay for the improvements through which he was enriched and which were labelled as exorbitant, illegal and unconstitutional.

He said criminal procedures should be instituted against all tenderers and officials who had not followed the correct tender procedure.

"In the light of the PP's report that Zuma, although bona fide, had misled Parliament, he should also explain in Parliament how it is possible that he had not personally been aware of all the improvements or how his family had not benefited from the improvements.

"Here it was once again proven that the personal friends of Zuma, in this instance the architect Minenhle Makhanya, had abused Zuma's name to secure transactions and to intimidate officials.

"It is actually similar to the Waterkloof scandal where personal friends had abused Zuma's name for their own benefit.

"It should also be considered to impeach Zuma where he, together with the minister of Police, Nathi Mthethwa, should account to Parliament how it is possible that an initial R27 million for security could eventually amount to R247 million.

"The institution of the Public Protector should also be thoroughly investigated who at this stage can merely undertake investigations and submit a report to Parliament but does not have the teeth to act against the offenders.

"The FF Plus says the PP should be able to take action in the interest of taxpayers of South Africa," Dr. Groenewald said.

Statement issued by Dr. Pieter Groenewald, FF Plus parliamentary leader, March 19 2014

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