‘Where’s proof Zuma #paidbackthemoney?’

President Jacob Zuma File picture: Jeffrey Abrahams

President Jacob Zuma File picture: Jeffrey Abrahams

Published Sep 13, 2016

Share

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has finally paid back the money for the non-security features at his Nkandla home, but the longest running scandal of his presidency is not over.

Opposition parties were unanimous on Monday in their demand for Zuma to provide proof that he has paid back R7.8 million for the non-security upgrades at his Nkandla homestead in KwaZulu-Natal.

Zuma could face a hostile National Assembly on Tuesday when he shows up to answer oral questions, despite his confirmation on Monday that he has settled his Nkandla bill.

Zuma said on Monday that he took a home loan from VBS Mutual Bank to settle the account, as ordered by the Constitutional Court in March.

His spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said: “President Zuma has paid over the amount of R7 818 155 to the South African Reserve Bank as ordered by the Constitutional Court.

“The president raised the amount through a home loan obtained from VBS Mutual Bank on its standard terms. It is one of the new few financial institutions which offer home loans in respect of land owned by traditional authorities.”

The non-security features included a swimming pool, cattle kraal, chicken run, amphitheatre and visitors’ centre, which the Police Ministry and Parliament sought to cast as legitimate public expenditure. Zuma had stuck to this version until he was found liable by the Constitutional Court for the non-security features.

The Treasury confirmed that Zuma had paid back the money.

The president will, however, need to go a step further after opposition parties clamoured for him to present evidence in Parliament on Tuesday.

They said Zuma was accountable to the national legislature.

The ANC had ordered its members not to come to the aid of Zuma, saying the money must come from Zuma’s pocket, in line with the court order.

But the opposition were far from impressed with news that Zuma had paid through a loan.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane said the party would approach the South African Revenue Service to ensure Zuma met all his tax obligations.

In their calculations this year, the DA found that Zuma owed R63.9m in fringe tax benefits for the construction of his house. It is demanding that Zuma release his tax records.

EFF acting national spokesperson Fana Mokoena said his party would seek clarity on the main source and principle that led VBS Mutual Bank rescuing Zuma when it was supposed to help poor people in the Vhembe area in Limpopo.

Read more:  The little-known bank that came to Zuma’s aid

He said the party would pursue criminal charges against Zuma because he had admitted that he had unduly benefited from the Nkandla project.

The party would write to the National Prosecuting Authority and the Special Investigating Unit to follow up on the progress made in recovering the money overpaid to suppliers in the construction of Zuma’s private residence.

African Christian Democratic Party leader Reverend Kenneth Meshoe said Zuma needed to apologise to the public because he had claimed he had a bond on the house.

Zuma’s payment comes at a time when business was lobbied to ask him to resign.

Former Department of International Relations director-general Sipho Pityana has asked Business Unity South Africa and Business Leadership South Africa not to back Zuma and to publicly call for him to go.

Business has been working closely with Zuma and Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to reignite growth in the economy.

On the other hand, the Black Business Council has urged Zuma to remain in office until his term ends.

Zuma said on Monday that he had met a Black Business Council delegation on Friday at the Union Buildings, where a number of issues were discussed.

The council’s support for Zuma could stymie efforts by other sections of the business sector to remove him or force him out of office.

“I am very pleased that the meeting with the Black Business Council took place. The issue of radical economic transformation is at the centre of the agenda of this administration,” said Zuma. - Additional reporting by ANA

[email protected]

Political Bureau

Related Topics: