No comment on Nkandla cost

139 Home of President Jacob Zuma at KwaNxamalala in Nkandla. 021009. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

139 Home of President Jacob Zuma at KwaNxamalala in Nkandla. 021009. Picture: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Nov 25, 2012

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President Jacob Zuma's spokesman has reserved comment regarding Sunday reports that the cost of an upgrade to Zuma's home had ballooned from R6.4 million to R248 million in two years.

“As you aware, the president has indicated various investigations are going on into different aspects. He has appealed to us all to await the outcomes,” said Zuma's spokesman Mac Maharaj.

According to City Press, there were inconsistencies in the disclosed spending.

In 2010, then public works minister Geoff Doidge told parliament the Nkandla upgrade would cost R6.4 million in total, with R5.7

million spent on professional fees.

Another, undated, Public Works presentation had put the total expenditure for the department at R89 million and for Zuma personally at R23 million.

But in September, City Press had reported the state would spend R203 million on the project, with Zuma's bill amounting to R10.06

million.

Zuma told parliament last week he had paid for five additional houses, but previous documents indicated he was constructing only two dwellings. - Sapa

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