Public Protector must extend Nkandla investigations to include Zuma family

I will today write to the Public Protector, Adv. Thuli Madonsela and request that she extend her respective investigations into the upgrade of President Zuma's home at Nkandla, and the spending of R2 billion on ‘Zumaville', to include the possible improper benefits afforded to members of President Zuma's family using state resources at Nkandla.

This after reports today allege that Michael and Joseph Zuma had supplies worth R545, 249 by Electricity Company Voltex delivered to their homes as part of the "prestige project" - the same project which has been used to pay for the upgrade to President Zuma's private home in Nkandla (see Sunday Times report).

I will also send this most recent development in the ‘Nkandlagate' scandal to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Max Sisulu, to further justify my call for an urgent Parliamentary Inquiry into this matter. It cannot be acceptable for Parliament to remain silent, while skeletons continue to tumble out of President Zuma's Nkandla closet daily.

Using public funds for the unjustifiable benefit of any individual is not only grossly unethical but it also stands in clear violation of the Executive Ethics Act of 1998, which prohibits Cabinet Members, Deputy Ministers and MEC's from:

Using their position or any information entrusted to them to enrich themselves or improperly benefit any other person

If such a breach has been alleged to have taken place, Section 3 of the Act mandates the Public Protector to investigate, as I will request in my letter to Adv Madonsela.

As the ‘Nkandlagate' scandal continues to widen with every week, it is vital that we make use of every last mechanism to ensure that President Zuma and his government are appropriately held to account.

The DA will do everything necessary to ensure that those who violate the laws and Constitutional principles of our country are made to answer for their wrongdoing.

Statement issued by Lindiwe Mazibuko MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, December 2 2012

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