SIU files reply to Nkandla architect

President Jacob Zuma's private architect Minenhle Makhanya. Photo: Supplied

President Jacob Zuma's private architect Minenhle Makhanya. Photo: Supplied

Published Sep 10, 2014

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Pietermaritzburg - The SIU submitted its replies to Nkandla architect Minenhle Makhanya on the upgrades to President Jacob Zuma's homestead, in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Wednesday.

The Special Investigating Unit filed 23 replies to Makhanya's 40 requests for documents.

The other documents Makhanya wanted were not relevant or were already in his possession, it said. The replies were on a compact disc. Printed copies were not immediately available.

In his application last Tuesday, Makhanya said he wanted the SIU to “make available for inspection within five days” documents relevant to its civil claim against him, including its final report on the upgrades.

Makhanya and the department of public works face a R155 million civil claim relating to work done at Zuma's homestead in KwaZulu-Natal.

The SIU alleges Makhanya authorised the construction of structures which were not security measures as determined by the SA Police Service and SA National Defence Force.

He allegedly over-designed SAPS and SANDF facilities and the public works department paid service providers when it was not obliged to do so.

As a result of his “wrongful, unlawful and negligent conduct” R68,506,106 was paid to service providers for work that fell outside what the SAPS and SANDF recommended.

According to the SIU, this figure includes:

* exit tunnels and three lifts for R21 180 245;

* 20 additional units for the SAPS and SANDF and laundry at R11 963 924;

* basement parking at R4 971 995;

* VIP parking R3 064 239;

* relocation of two households at R10,622,616;

* two roads inside Nkandla at R4 454 454;

* airconditioning at R4 454 129;

* landscaping at R3 371 550;

* visitors' units at R3 927 954.

It is not clear from the documents what is meant by a unit.

According to reports, the SIU claimed the public works department offered to appoint Makhanya as principal agent of the Nkandla upgrade project, but the appointment was unlawful as it was not preceded by an open tender process.

In a report released in March, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found Zuma and his family had unduly benefited from the R246

million spent on the security upgrades.

Makhanya made headlines after it was revealed in Madonsela's report that he made R16.5m from the project.

The SIU handed its final report on Nkandla to Zuma on August 20. It said at the time it was under no obligation to make the report public.

Sapa

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