Durban - Police Minister Nathi Nhleko on Tuesday said more costs would be incurred when the security features were evaluated and the incomplete work at President Jacob Zuma’s homestead were finalised.
“Some of the work could not be completed precisely because there were investigations,” Nhleko said, adding that the MPs would see for themselves some of the incomplete work on security features.
He also said the security features were to be evaluated in light of the exposure they attracted after they became widely known and the security of the president compromised.
“The question of cost factor can arise after that. It is not possible to know before hand how much it will cost,” Nhelko told the add hoc committee.
He made the statement when he was being questioned after he made a presentation on his report on security upgrade at Zuma’s homestead.
In his report Nhleko said: The outstanding security related work at Nkandla should be funded and completed expeditiously, including re-evaluation of th current physical security measures.
“In this instance the laws and prescripts are to be followed to the letter,” he said in his report.
He also said the SIU and parliamentary committee reports had alluded to the urgent need for a new security evaluation to be concluded at Nkandla.
Nhleko also insisted that incomplete project at the Zuma homestead formed part of security upgrades
“We are to have this kind of work done. It is likely to come with cost factor,” he said.
Earlier, Nhleko questioned the R246 million the media and oppositon mention on costs incurred in security upgrades.
He said the Special Investigating Unit had found that the Nkandla “prestige project” cost the state about R216 while the Public Works Department document showed the amount was R206 million.
“The first portion is the cost of the security features which amounted to R71 212 621, including consultancy and or professional fees.
“The remainder of R135 208 022 was the cost of departmental operational needs such as the clinic, SAPS and SANDF staff quarters and needs, and consultancy fees among others,” Nhleko said.
Nhleko also said the consultancy or professional fees totalled R20m and that the security features at Nkandla cost a mere R50 million.
He said the R40 million was in addition to the R206 million in the audited books was not known where it came from.
“We do not know where it (R246m figure) comes from. We can only talk to the figures that were audited,” he stated.
In his report, Nhleko said Zuma was not liable to pay for any security features at his homestead.
Daily News