CONCLUSION OF JSCI PROCESS ON TASK TEAM REPORT ON NKANDLA

14 November 2013

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip welcomes the conclusion of the work of the joint standing committee on intelligence (JSCI) in relation to the government task team report on the President's private residence in Nkandla. The conclusion of the work of the parliamentary committee today is a culmination of an involved process by the committee members on the contents of the task team report. The committee's work included in loco inspection and interactions with the government task team members.

The committee expressed its satisfaction that the task team report was correctly classified in line with the existing legislation and government policies. Disclosure of the contents of the task team report would have compromised both the personal and property security of the President and his immediate family. However, the committee questioned the relevance of the National Key Points Act of 1980 in our present constitutional democracy and recommended that it be reviewed.

The committee expressed concern that persons who did not have the necessary security clearance were allowed access to classified and sensitive information and access to the Nkandla property. This, it said, was a serious contravention that had the potential to compromise the security of the President. The committee will summon the Ministers concerned to explain their involvement in the matter.

The committee found that, contrary to allegations reported in the media, over 52% of security upgrades were made on the state-owned land, not on the President's private property. The state land, which is not owned by the Zuma family, had to be acquired as the property of the President was too small to incorporate all the recommended security measures. 

The committee has recommended that matters relating to the allocation of tenders and appointment of contractors be referred to the Office of the Auditor General (AG) for a full investigation in order to establish if there was any unlawful conduct. Should the AG find any wrongdoing, the matter should be referred to the police and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). 

We have noted with disappointment the DA's misguided and ill-informed political posturing on the committee's report. Had the DA, which did not form part of the committee after pulling out, bothered to read the entire report before reacting, they would have appreciated the quality work that went into the process. By mischievously and irresponsibly pulling out of the committee process, the DA missed a valuable opportunity to familiarise itself and witness the comprehensive and quality work the committee members put on the matter. It is therefore difficult to take their opinion on the matter seriously.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief Whip, November 14 2013

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