Nkandla: using culture to defend corruption is insulting
ANC Chairperson, Baleka Mbethe's remarks are yet another last-ditch attempt by the ANC to defend President Jacob Zuma and his role in the "Nkandlagate" scandal.
Earlier today, Ms Mbethe was quoted as saying: "The issue of a man's kraal or a kraal of a family is a holy space..." and that "in the African tradition you don't interfere with a man's kraal".
This is not only an insensitive misappropriation of our nation's cultural values, but it is also an affront to the millions of South Africans who are waiting for answers to their questions about the R260 million which was spent on President Zuma's private home in Nkandla.
Ms Mbethe is just another of President Zuma's close allies, tripping over themselves to protect him from accountability. Her words are nothing more than another failed attempt at excusing the inexcusable and hiding Nkandla behind cultural practices.
Over the past few months, we have been subjected to an elaborate cover-up strategy from the entire ANC leadership over the massive abuse of state funds at Nkandla. Earlier this year Public Service and Administration Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu; Sports and Recreation Minister, Fikile Mbalula, and ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe took every available opportunity to rubbish the Public Protector's report on Nkandla - even before it was released.
The ANC in Parliament has now taken to delaying the establishment of the ad hoc committee that will investigate this matter and consider my motion to impeach the president and remove him from office.
Clearly Zuma's ANC has run out of credible reasons to refute the Nkandla scandal, and must now resort to reckless rhetoric and a complete disregard for the Constitution and for Parliament.
The DA will not let Zuma continue to hide behind his cadres. We will not rest until all those responsible - including President Zuma - are held to account for their actions.
Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, Parliamentary Leader of the Democratic Alliance, April 19 2014
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