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North West abandons plan to build R6m Zuma statue

Stood up for Zuma: Supra Mahumapelo
Stood up for Zuma: Supra Mahumapelo

The North West government has abandoned the idea of erecting a controversial R6-million statue for President Jacob Zuma in Groot Marico in favour of a building monument dedicated to him.

Although the provincial department of culture, arts and traditional affairs, which is handling the project, has been evasive about the costs of the monument, it has alluded to the fact that it could be even bigger than the statue.

Department spokesman Shuping Sebolecwe said they had withdrawn the tender advertisement for the statue and it would be re-issued next week with new specifications for the monument.

"The decision to divert was taken because as a relevant department our role is to build monuments and not statues," said Sebolecwe, who did not want to divulge much about the budget.

"It will depend on the specifications of the tender that will be advertised but the job creation from it might increase."

The DA, which had objected to the statue, said it would fight any attempts to reissue a tender.

"Public money must be spent on the public, not on monuments to a man whose legacy is one of corruption, unemployment and breaking the constitution," said the DA's Joe McGluwa.

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