President Jacob Zuma and his family unduly benefited from the upgrades made to his private Nkandla home by an estimated R246 million, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has found.
"It is common cause that in the name of security, government built for the president and his family in his private [home], a visitors centre, cattle kraal and chicken run, swimming pool, and amphitheatre among others," the report titled "Secure encompass" said.
"The president and his family clearly benefited from this."
The report was released on Wednesday as Madonsela briefed reporters in Pretoria.
She found Zuma had not misled Parliament when he said his family had built its own houses and the state had not built any for them or benefited them.
"I have accepted the evidence that he addressed Parliament in good faith and was not thinking about the visitors centre, but his family dwelling, when he made the statement.
"It appears to have been a bona fide mistake and I am accordingly unable to find that his conduct was in violation of ... the executive ethics code," Madonsela said in her report.In November, Zuma told Parliament his residence in Nkandla was paid for by the Zuma family.
"I took the decision to expand my home and I built my home with more rondavels, more than once. And I fenced my home. And I engaged the bank and I'm still paying a bond on my first phase of my home," he said at the time.
"My residence in Nkandla has been paid for by the Zuma family. All the buildings and every room we use in that residence, was built by ourselves as family and not by government."
Zuma told Parliament he took exception to accusations that government money was spent for his benefit.
"I have never asked government to build a home for me, and it has not done so. Government did not build a home for me," he said.
"It is unfair, and I don't want to use harsher words because you believe that people like me can't build a home."
Nkandla neighbours 'unlawfully relocated'
The relocation of neighbours to upgrade President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead was unlawful, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has found.
"It is worth noting that the relocation of two households cost R4.2 million, while the relocation of one household cost R3.7m," she says in her report on the matter released on Wednesday.
The relocation and setting up of some of the installations involved unlawful actions and constituted improper conduct and maladministration.
These did not comply with section 237 of the Constitution.
Zuma should have asked questions
President Jacob Zuma should have asked questions about the scale, costs and affordability of security upgrades to his private Nkandla home, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Wednesday.
"It is also not unreasonable to expect that when news broke in December 2009 of alleged exorbitant amounts...[it was] required of President Zuma to take reasonable steps to order an immediate enquiry into the situation and immediate correction of any irregularities and excesses," Madonsela said her final report on the matter in Pretoria.
"His failure to act in protection of state resources constitutes a violation of ... executive ethics code and accordingly amounts to conduct that is inconsistent with his office as a member of Cabinet."
Madonsela recommended that Zuma pay a percentage of the cost of security upgrades to his Nkandla home back to the State.
"The president is to take steps with the assistance of the National Treasury and the SA Police Service to determine the reasonable cost of the measures implemented by the DPW [department of public works] at his private residence that do not relate to security," she said in her report.
"[Zuma is to] pay a reasonable percentage of the cost of the measures".
Madonsela said the amount to be paid back should be based on the cost of the installation of some or all of the items that were not accepted as security measures.
Madonsela further recommended that Zuma reprimanded all the ministers that had handled the Nkandla project in an appalling manner.
Zuma also had to report to the National Assembly on his comment and action taken on Madonsela's report within 14 days.
Nkandla estimated future costs over R240m
The estimated total cost to President Zuma's Nkandla home is over R240 million, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report into the matter revealed on Wednesday.
"It is estimated that the cost of phase three, which has not been implemented, is R31,186,887, which could bring the total estimate cost of the project to R246,631,303."
Madonsela found that the department of public works' records indicated that, by the time the probe was concluded, total expenditure on the project amounted to R215,444,450.
Madonsela's report found that the total cost of the Nkandla project included:
-- Total payment to contractors R161,418,824
-- Value of contractor payments certificates, certified but not yet paid, R3,672,748
-- Total payment to professional consultants R50,352,842
-- Cost estimate for phase three, excluding consultants' fees R31,186,887.
The homestead has been at the centre of controversy after it emerged that the public works department had approved upgrades to the President's KwaZulu-Natal homestead.
Madonsela has been criticised by the African National Congress for her handling of the probe.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe has said that the release of the report close to May 7 would indicate an intention to "muddy the waters in the election campaign".
Madonsela previously dismissed claims that her office would time the release of her final report with the aim of influencing the elections.
On Sunday, Mantashe said the party did not have any expectations from the Nkandla report.
He called it a "political report", saying the ANC would treat it that way.
In an eNCA interview in February, Zuma disputed that more than R206m had been spent, saying the security upgrades cost around R50m.
Zuma also told the news channel that he would not resign.
'Service delivery sacrificed for Nkandla'
A critical service delivery program was shelved and money diverted to upgrade President Jacob Zuma's homestead at Nkandla, Public Protector Madonsela found.
The Protector's report, released on Wednesday, was titled 'Secure in Comfort'.
"Funds were reallocated from the inner city regeneration project and the dolomite risk management programme of the department of public works," Mandonsela said in her voluminous report.
"Due to lack of proper demand management and planning, service delivery programs of the department of public works were negatively affected."
Madonsela said the conduct of the department of public works was in violation of Section 237 of the Constitution and the Batho Pele White Paper.
Swimming pool could not be consciously accepted as security measures
President Jacob Zuma gave the nod for all upgrades at his Nkandla home, the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report into the matter revealed on Wednesday.
"It is my considered view that the president tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital investment," the report read.
"A reasonable part of the expenditure towards the installations that were not identified as security measures in the list compiled by security experts... should be borne by he and his family."
In her report, Madonsela said installations such as the visitors centre, cattle kraal, chicken run, swimming pool and the amphitheatre at the Nkandla homestead could not be consciously accepted as security measures.
Nkandla has been at the centre of controversy after it emerged that the public works department had approved upgrades to the KwaZulu-Natal homestead costing over R206 million.
Madonsela has been criticised by the African National Congress for her handling of the probe.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe has said that the release of the report close to May 7 would indicate an intention to "muddy the waters in the election campaign".
Madonsela previously dismissed claims that her office would time the release of her final report with the aim of influencing the elections.
On Sunday, Mantashe said the party did not have any expectations from the Nkandla report.
He called it a "political report", saying the ANC would treat it that way.
In an ENCA interview in February, Zuma disputed that more than R206m had been spent, saying the security upgrades cost around R50m.
Zuma also told the news channel that he would not resign.
Zuma's architect 'made millions'
President Jacob Zuma's architect, Minenhle Makhanya, has made R16.5 million from the Nkandla project, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela revealed on Wednesday.
Madonsela said in her report into the matter that Makhanya served as a go-between for government officials and the president.
"What is particularly disturbing in this regard, is that minutes show that Makhanya was often asked to design something more economic and he will come back with something more expensive and even luxurious."
Madonsela said Makhanya was brought in 2009 without going to tender.
Makhanya was brought in to act as the department of public works' principal agent, while retaining his position as Zuma's private architect.
"This is the period when the scale of work increased exponentially, leading to installations that were not authorised and costs escalated to R215m."
In the report, Madonsela said Makhanya had made R16.5m from the Nkandla project by the time this probe was completed.
His appointment was improper and did not satisfy legal requirements, Madonsela's report found.
Zuma family benefited from Nkandla
President Jacob Zuma and his family unduly benefited from the upgrades made to his private Nkandla home by an estimated R246 million, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has found.
"It is common cause that in the name of security, government built for the president and his family in his private [home], a visitors centre, cattle kraal and chicken run, swimming pool, and amphitheatre among others," the report titled "Secure encompass" said.
"The president and his family clearly benefited from this."
The report was released on Wednesday as Madonsela briefed reporters in Pretoria.
She found Zuma had not misled Parliament when he said his family had built its own houses and the state had not built any for them or benefited them.
"I have accepted the evidence that he addressed Parliament in good faith and was not thinking about the visitors centre, but his family dwelling, when he made the statement.
"It appears to have been a bona fide mistake and I am accordingly unable to find that his conduct was in violation of ... the executive ethics code," Madonsela said in her report.In November, Zuma told Parliament his residence in Nkandla was paid for by the Zuma family.
"I took the decision to expand my home and I built my home with more rondavels, more than once. And I fenced my home. And I engaged the bank and I'm still paying a bond on my first phase of my home," he said at the time.
"My residence in Nkandla has been paid for by the Zuma family. All the buildings and every room we use in that residence, was built by ourselves as family and not by government."
Zuma told Parliament he took exception to accusations that government money was spent for his benefit.
"I have never asked government to build a home for me, and it has not done so. Government did not build a home for me," he said.
"It is unfair, and I don't want to use harsher words because you believe that people like me can't build a home."
Nkandla neighbours 'unlawfully relocated'
The relocation of neighbours to upgrade President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead was unlawful, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has found.
"It is worth noting that the relocation of two households cost R4.2 million, while the relocation of one household cost R3.7m," she says in her report on the matter released on Wednesday.
The relocation and setting up of some of the installations involved unlawful actions and constituted improper conduct and maladministration.
These did not comply with section 237 of the Constitution.
Zuma should have asked questions
President Jacob Zuma should have asked questions about the scale, costs and affordability of security upgrades to his private Nkandla home, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Wednesday.
"It is also not unreasonable to expect that when news broke in December 2009 of alleged exorbitant amounts...[it was] required of President Zuma to take reasonable steps to order an immediate enquiry into the situation and immediate correction of any irregularities and excesses," Madonsela said her final report on the matter in Pretoria.
"His failure to act in protection of state resources constitutes a violation of ... executive ethics code and accordingly amounts to conduct that is inconsistent with his office as a member of Cabinet."
Madonsela recommended that Zuma pay a percentage of the cost of security upgrades to his Nkandla home back to the State.
"The president is to take steps with the assistance of the National Treasury and the SA Police Service to determine the reasonable cost of the measures implemented by the DPW [department of public works] at his private residence that do not relate to security," she said in her report.
"[Zuma is to] pay a reasonable percentage of the cost of the measures".
Madonsela said the amount to be paid back should be based on the cost of the installation of some or all of the items that were not accepted as security measures.
Madonsela further recommended that Zuma reprimanded all the ministers that had handled the Nkandla project in an appalling manner.
Zuma also had to report to the National Assembly on his comment and action taken on Madonsela's report within 14 days.
Nkandla estimated future costs over R240m
The estimated total cost to President Zuma's Nkandla home is over R240 million, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report into the matter revealed on Wednesday.
"It is estimated that the cost of phase three, which has not been implemented, is R31,186,887, which could bring the total estimate cost of the project to R246,631,303."
Madonsela found that the department of public works' records indicated that, by the time the probe was concluded, total expenditure on the project amounted to R215,444,450.
Madonsela's report found that the total cost of the Nkandla project included:
-- Total payment to contractors R161,418,824
-- Value of contractor payments certificates, certified but not yet paid, R3,672,748
-- Total payment to professional consultants R50,352,842
-- Cost estimate for phase three, excluding consultants' fees R31,186,887.
The homestead has been at the centre of controversy after it emerged that the public works department had approved upgrades to the President's KwaZulu-Natal homestead.
Madonsela has been criticised by the African National Congress for her handling of the probe.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe has said that the release of the report close to May 7 would indicate an intention to "muddy the waters in the election campaign".
Madonsela previously dismissed claims that her office would time the release of her final report with the aim of influencing the elections.
On Sunday, Mantashe said the party did not have any expectations from the Nkandla report.
He called it a "political report", saying the ANC would treat it that way.
In an eNCA interview in February, Zuma disputed that more than R206m had been spent, saying the security upgrades cost around R50m.
Zuma also told the news channel that he would not resign.
'Service delivery sacrificed for Nkandla'
A critical service delivery program was shelved and money diverted to upgrade President Jacob Zuma's homestead at Nkandla, Public Protector Madonsela found.
The Protector's report, released on Wednesday, was titled 'Secure in Comfort'.
"Funds were reallocated from the inner city regeneration project and the dolomite risk management programme of the department of public works," Mandonsela said in her voluminous report.
"Due to lack of proper demand management and planning, service delivery programs of the department of public works were negatively affected."
Madonsela said the conduct of the department of public works was in violation of Section 237 of the Constitution and the Batho Pele White Paper.
Swimming pool could not be consciously accepted as security measures
President Jacob Zuma gave the nod for all upgrades at his Nkandla home, the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report into the matter revealed on Wednesday.
"It is my considered view that the president tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital investment," the report read.
"A reasonable part of the expenditure towards the installations that were not identified as security measures in the list compiled by security experts... should be borne by he and his family."
In her report, Madonsela said installations such as the visitors centre, cattle kraal, chicken run, swimming pool and the amphitheatre at the Nkandla homestead could not be consciously accepted as security measures.
Nkandla has been at the centre of controversy after it emerged that the public works department had approved upgrades to the KwaZulu-Natal homestead costing over R206 million.
Madonsela has been criticised by the African National Congress for her handling of the probe.
ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe has said that the release of the report close to May 7 would indicate an intention to "muddy the waters in the election campaign".
Madonsela previously dismissed claims that her office would time the release of her final report with the aim of influencing the elections.
On Sunday, Mantashe said the party did not have any expectations from the Nkandla report.
He called it a "political report", saying the ANC would treat it that way.
In an ENCA interview in February, Zuma disputed that more than R206m had been spent, saying the security upgrades cost around R50m.
Zuma also told the news channel that he would not resign.
Zuma's architect 'made millions'
President Jacob Zuma's architect, Minenhle Makhanya, has made R16.5 million from the Nkandla project, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela revealed on Wednesday.
Madonsela said in her report into the matter that Makhanya served as a go-between for government officials and the president.
"What is particularly disturbing in this regard, is that minutes show that Makhanya was often asked to design something more economic and he will come back with something more expensive and even luxurious."
Madonsela said Makhanya was brought in 2009 without going to tender.
Makhanya was brought in to act as the department of public works' principal agent, while retaining his position as Zuma's private architect.
"This is the period when the scale of work increased exponentially, leading to installations that were not authorised and costs escalated to R215m."
In the report, Madonsela said Makhanya had made R16.5m from the Nkandla project by the time this probe was completed.
His appointment was improper and did not satisfy legal requirements, Madonsela's report found.
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