The ANC has criticised attempts by the media and opposition to “criminalise” the up-keep of public assets, saying this was a dominant practice in many states.
“The media reports try to criminalise the up-keep of public assets as if it is not an inherent responsibility for public works, said spokesman Jackson Mthembu in a statement on Thursday.
“If there was neglect of public assets both the media and the opposition would make noise and when the government retains value of its assets you still are accused of wrong doing.”
Earlier on Thursday, The Star reported that revamping the interior of Zuma's official residence in Pretoria was expected to cost R170m.
This had emerged on Wednesday in written replies by Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde to parliamentary questions by the Democratic Alliance.
The refurbishment would include a sauna and a steam room.
The total value of the refurbishment, building, and other work already carried out on Zuma's offices, official homes in Cape Town and Pretoria, and projects on the Bryntirion ministerial estate, amounted to more than R400m.
However, Mahlangu-Nkabinde rejected the reports of a revamp later on Thursday. Her officials assured her that while it was true that the presidential residence was due to be refurbished, they had not finalised any contracts or settled on a date when the work would begin.
“No work has been undertaken, no taxpayer money has been spent.
“In March this year, when I learned about the proposed cost of the refurbishment I said it was too high and ordered that it not go ahead,” she said.
This was a matter of public record because she had issued a statement on March 22 in which she said the proposed cost was too high and that no work was being undertaken.
Mthembu expressed unhappiness at the manner in which the media responded, saying continuous renovation of state assets allow the government to retain their value.
“It is not in the interest of South Africa for the President to be subjected to undue criticism when the government was subscribing to dominant practices the world over,” he said.
He acknowledged the opposition's inherent responsibility of holding the government accountable, but said it also had an inherent responsibility of appreciating the role of the government and the President.
“It will be a sad thing if the media and the opposition want to suggest that the security of a sitting President and his well being is of no consequence to the country.”
Cabinet spokesman Jimmy Manyi rejected suggestions that renovations at Zuma's residence were extravagance or compromised social delivery.
“The work to be undertaken on a range of official properties will be done in the same way that government attends to other programmes - like health and education,” said Manyi.
“All these facilities will be at the disposal of future administrations and cannot therefore be treated as personal favours.”
He said renovations would enable Zuma and other future presidents to attend to a demanding programme of work in conditions of “efficiency, security and the relative comfort”. - Sapa