Charges against officials not enough - Zuma must answer to Parliament
20 July 2014
The DA welcomes reports that the 13 officials, some of whom are senior officials in the Department of Public Works, have been charged in an internal disciplinary hearing for maladministration relating to the R246 million upgrades of Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead (see City Press report).
However, these charges will be mired in controversy as long as those in public office avoid accountability as well. We can't make scapegoats of relatively junior officials. All those implicated must face the law.
The politicians involved in the Nkandla scandal can only be held accountable once President Zuma answers to Parliament, and acts on the recommendations made by the Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela. This includes paying back some of the money spent on his private residence.
The President's numerous delaying tactics - most recently seen with yet another delay in responding to the Nkandla Report - will make a mockery of the arrest of these officials. All must be treated equally before the law, even the President of the Republic.