Zuma’s architect let off the hook by Hawks despite blowing R155 million on Nkandla

17 June 2016

I have today written to Major General Ntlemeza, Head of the Hawks’ Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation, calling on him to provide reasons for his decision to not investigate the actions of Mr Minenhle Makhanya, the chief Nkandla architect, for his involvement in the upgrades to President Zuma’s private home in Nkandla.

Mr Makhanya was responsible for the planning and designing of President Zuma’s upgrades to his private residence at Nkandla, and there exists prima facie evidence to suggest he committed an offence, and ensured many people were unduly enriched along the way, at the expense of the public. 

Following the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) report in 2014, the SIU launched a civil claim against Makhanya, seeking to recover more than R155 million from Makhanya as the ‘principal agent’ allegedly responsible for inflating the cost of the ‘security upgrades’ at Nkandla. 

In particular, the Special Investigating Unit’s (SIU) report into the matter, specifically with reference to the involvement of Mr Makhanya in the project, stated the following:

“…through the unlawful, wrongful and negligent use of the powers that were granted to him, Makhanya inter alia increased the scope and extent of the works by designing and authorising items that were not required for security purposes, as determined by the SAPS and the SANDF, designed and produced more than had been requested and authorised and certified over-payments.”

“It is clear from the Particulars of Claim that as a result of Makhanya’s actions, many people were enriched. In Claim C, for example, we set out how some of the consultants and contractors were enriched. It is also implicit from the claims based on the increase in the scope of works that the value of the President’s, or the Zuma family’s residential complex was enhanced. Clearly, to the extent that these claims are well founded, the President or his family were enriched.”

A reply to a parliamentary question to the Minister of Police has recently revealed that there is no investigation against Mr Makhanya. 

In light of Mr Makhanya's central involvement in the matter, it is unconscionable that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation has taken the decision not to investigate what would appear to be prima facie offences of a very serious nature.

The DA maintains that all who were involved in the abuse of state resources at Nkandla be brought to book, and based on the evidence at hand, an investigation into Mr Makhanya and his involvement is essential.

Therefore, Major General Ntlemeza must outline the compelling reasons and rationale for why this investigation was not carried out. Failing which, the Hawks ought to launch an investigation in this regard.

The people of South Africa need to know where the R155 million went, and for this to happen an investigation into Mr Makhanya is required. 

Issued by Mabine Seabe, Spokesperson to the DA Leader, 17 June 2016