'Zuma's upgrade needed'
President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead needs to be upgraded to house both his staff and those of visiting guests, his spokesman Mac Maharaj has said.
President Jacob Zuma
"What do you do when President Obama or an African head of state visits him? You can't send them to a hotel," he was quoted as saying on the UK's The Telegraph online on Tuesday.
"Where do Prime Minister Cameron's security staff stay when he goes to his private house? President Zuma's medical and security staff are inside that complex, but you can't put them in the same house as his family."
The president should, on principle, not be expected to pay for security staff accommodation and guests out of his own pocket.
City Press reported that R203 million of taxpayers' money would be spent on the upgrade, with Zuma paying only five percent of the bill -- around R10 million.
The Democratic Alliance called on Public Protector Thuli Madonsela to probe the allegations, and for Zuma to cancel the upgrade.
Political commentator Karima Brown said the unconfirmed reports were another example of how the media were targeting Zuma.
"Jacob Zuma has never been an easy fit for South Africa's chattering classes," she said.
"His existence challenges the notion of what it means to be black and middle-class in South Africa, and they will take any opportunity to attack him."
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Smaiza
How much was spend to develop Xunu or Cunu? and How much was spend to Thabo Mbeki security? Can the same DA (Doom Always) question that?Report Abuse
MorenaWaPolelo
That is very true!!!Report Abuse
DJ-Winner
Well, when we were building Mandela's house, people were silent.Report Abuse
Naked
HE is the head of state-let him upgrade when necessary,DA must take a chill pillReport Abuse
Nwanawamukalaha
Mandela had no proper place to stay but this moegoe has and just wants to renovate.........if the structures are falling apart, it's his own calling to fix and not our tax money. Mandela's palace never exceeded R4m as compared to R203 - for what?Report Abuse
VENDALIOUS
This thing is not my president.Report Abuse
lindsay
when was the house built and why is it upgraded now?Report Abuse
Nwanawamukalaha
Indeed education is the key of life and contributes a lot towards logical execution of decisions. Zuma is water-headed..........Report Abuse
Knan
How much was spent for Madiba, Botha, De Klerk, Mbeki's security and medical staff?How many citizens can we assist with that amount e.g. for housing, medicals (supplies)?
R203 Mil is too much, petrol alone is killing us, even being able to buy food is becoming so hard...
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Jozi40
upgrade se foot his not getting the second term, so “Please” Thuli stop this nonsense there are people in Mandela squatter camp that are leaving in degrading conditions the Ekurhuleni municipality should be ashamed of themselves it breaks my heart each & everyday when pass there are little kids playing near open toilets, dead dogs & garbage is it fair on those poor kids growing up to such conditions I want my tax money to help those kids not to make you leave like a king…Enough said“Please Mr. President Think of the next person”
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