Nkandla neighbours relocated ‘unlawfully’

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela speaks to the media about her Nkandla report.

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela speaks to the media about her Nkandla report.

Published Mar 19, 2014

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Pretoria - The relocation of neighbours to upgrade President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead was unlawful, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has found.

“It is worth noting that the relocation of two households cost R4.2 million, while the relocation of one household cost R3.7m,” she says in her report on the matter released on Wednesday.

The relocation and setting up of some of the installations involved unlawful actions and constituted improper conduct and maladministration.

These did not comply with section 237 of the Constitution.

Zuma's private Nkandla homestead in KwaZulu-Natal has been at the centre of controversy after it emerged that the public works department had approved upgrades of over R206m.

Madonsela has been criticised by the African National Congress for her handling of the probe.

ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe has said that the release of the report close to May 7 would indicate an intention to “muddy the waters in the election campaign”.

Madonsela previously dismissed claims that her office would time the release of her final report with the aim of influencing the elections.

On Sunday, Mantashe said the party did not have any expectations from the Nkandla report.

He called it a “political report”, saying the ANC would treat it that way.

In an eNCA interview in February, Zuma disputed that more than R206m had been spent, saying the security upgrades cost around R50m.

Zuma also told the news channel that he would not resign.

Sapa

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