Nkandla Cost Calculation: Nxesi misleading Parliament
09 October 2016
The Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi, has attempted to mislead Parliament in a recent reply to a parliamentary question, which directly contradicts information provided by the National Treasury in the court papers on the Nkandla cost calculation.
Specifically, the Minister stated that all relevant documentation was provided to National Treasury to enable them to calculate the cost of the non-security upgrades to the President's residence at Nkandla. This is refuted by Treasury.
The Department of Public Works(DPW) was requested to provide electronic and hard copies of the relevant construction and engineering drawings, associated specifications and the site layout of the President’s residence at Nkandla in respect of the five facilities that the Constitutional Court found President Zuma liable for. Information used for costing purposes was to be extracted from these drawings.
Nxesi stated in the reply that “the Department of Public Works did submit all documents and other pieces of information in its possession that were required by the National Treasury. The latter received full cooperation from the DPW in the transmission of the documents. Before the Publication of the National Treasury Report the DPW was not informed about any incompleteness of documentation submitted to the National Treasury.”
However, in the court papers National Treasury revealed the following shortcomings by the DPW in providing information as mandated:
Visitors Facility – plan elevations and sections:
The drawing received was for a single storey building whereas a double storey building was build
Building layout incorrect
No cross-sections received
Elevations received are incorrect as they are not reflective of what is built
Swimming pool – detail and sections:
Screen walls, retaining walls and paving not reflective of what was built
Cattle kraal Concept
Cattle kraal layout not reflective of what was built
Furthermore, the electronic and hard copies of the design, construction and engineering drawings and the associated specifications and site layout relating to the five facilities did not include the final “as built” drawings.
Neither did any of the information received include structural drawings, wet surfaces, civil, electrical or mechanical information or any related specifications.
In addition, no bill of quantities was provided to assist in the determination of the reasonable costs incurred in building the said facilities.
It is therefore clear that Nxesi has deliberately tried to mislead Parliament in his reply, and the DA will move a motion to this effect once the House sits again.
Statement issued by Alf Lees MP, DA Deputy Shadow Minister of Finance, 9 October 2016
