Is President Zuma blocking SIU Nkandla investigation?

More than two months after Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi announced that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) would be asked to investigate the R206 million upgrade of President Zuma's private residence in Nkandla, President Jacob Zuma has yet to gazette a proclamation to allow for the investigation as he is required to do so in terms of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act of 1996.

Reports today confirm, as a result, that the SIU has yet to begin such an investigation. This failure by President Zuma undermines the efforts to get to the bottom of this serious corruption scandal and brings into question whether the President is actively undermining efforts to ensure that all aspects of the Nkandla upgrade are fully investigated.

I will submit a written question in Parliament to ascertain the full reasons for this delay as well as when this proclamation will be tabled. President Zuma will have 10 days in terms of the Rules of the National Assembly to provide me with an answer. 

He must use this opportunity to announce a full SIU investigation into the ‘Nkandlagate' scandal and ensure that it is gazetted as a matter of urgency. Anything less will be viewed as a deliberate attempt to undermine the investigation. 

Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, April 9 2013

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