Nkandla benefits ‘hurt credibility’

A finding that President Jacob Zuma unduly benefited from upgrades to his Nkandla residence damaged the government’s credibility, Corruption Watch said yesterday. Executive director David Lewis said public protector Thuli Madonsela’s report had “severe” implications and revealed that Zuma “placed personal and family interests above those of the public”. Corruption Watch agreed with Madonsela that Zuma should repay money used for upgrades not related to security. “Public officials who authorised the massive spend and flouted procurement laws should be prosecuted, publicly named and removed from public office,” Lewis said. – Sapa

First quarter nets R250m in e-tolls

The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) collected R250.8 million from e-tolling in Gauteng in the first three months of implementation, it said yesterday. Sanral’s chief financial officer, Inge Mulder, said revenue of R953m was recorded, but that was the nominal value of transactions, excluding VAT. Sanral said 1 242 317 vehicles were registered for e-tolls by the end of February. – Sapa