Zuma "security" relocations not needed for Mandela and Mbeki

A reply to a DA parliamentary question has revealed that despite families residing within the same proximity to Presidents Mandela and Mbeki's private homes, as is the case with President Zuma, only in the latter Nkandla upgrade was it deemed "necessary" to relocate families at a cost of over R7 million. 

This creates further suspicion around the real intention behind this insulting and costly relocation. Indeed, how can it be a "security threat" in one instance, but not in another?

The truth is that the Minister of Public Works, together with the Security Cluster, has been running around trying to come up with excuses in order to protect President Zuma from being held accountable. They are ridiculous and unbelievable. South Africans will see through this. 

According to the Public Protector's report, Secure in Comfort, Adv Thuli Madonsela states, "I could not find any authority or legitimate reason for classifying the relocation of the households at state expense, as a security measure as envisaged in any of the authorizing security instruments. Apart from this not appearing in the Minimum Physical Security Standards, such relocation was not recommended in the Security Evaluation Reports. Furthermore, no evidence was provided indicating that such relocation at state expense was the only option for addressing the meandering fence." 

The DA will submit further parliamentary questions at the next available opportunity to get more details on the "security" concerns that warranted the removal of families at the public's expense. 

The DA will not rest until we get answers to every unanswered question on this matter.

South Africans deserve the truth, once and for all. 

Statement issued by Anchen Dreyer, DA Shadow Minister of Public Works, April 13 2014

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