Nkandla: ANC playing judge, jury and executioner

30 July 2015

The ANC has again shown that it’s in support of the looting of R246 million of taxpayers’ money. This support has gone as far as shutting down all processes that will aid the Nkandla Ad Hoc Committee and South Africa by closing the door on calling key witnesses, like the Public Protector, before the Committee.

It is clear that the ANC majority is only interested in hearing from the Ministers of Police and Public Works, who owe their employment to Accused Number 1 – President Jacob Zuma.

On spurious grounds, the Public Protector has been denied an opportunity to brief the Committee on her report and the proposed remedial actions therein. 

The ANC’s majority in the Committee has been used and abused to ensure that all objective and independent voices are silenced. At the very least, the Public Protector, Adv. Thuli Madonsela, should be given an opportunity to defend herself and the Secure in Comfort report, which has legal standing, unlike the irrational and poorly composed report of the Police Minister.

South Africa cannot sit back, while the ANC tries to substitute the Public Protector’s report with that of the Police Minister, which aims to legitimize the theft of public funds for the benefit of President Zuma.

By not allowing the Public Protector to appear before the Committee, the ANC is undermining her office. Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s report can never substitute that of the Public Protector.

This matter will not go away until justice is served, which will be when the President does as mandated by the Public Protector. And that is to pay a reasonable percentage of the R246 million spent on his private Nkandla residence.

As the Democratic Alliance we are guided by the Constitution and the laws of the land, and, in service of the people of South Africa, we will do everything to ensure that these are upheld.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA leader, July 30 2015