Johannesburg – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) slammed Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko’s decision to postpone a media briefing on President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla private home, accusing government of lack of urgency.
“This postponement signifies that this government is a government of permanent postponements which subjects our people to a perpetual waiting periods,” EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi said in a statement.
“EFF remains unequivocal about its demand that the Public Protector [Thuli Madonsela] recommendations and remedial action should be strictly adhered to. President Zuma must pay back the money that was spent in all the non-security features of the Nkandla upgrade because they were illegal and corrupt.”
Nhleko’s spokesman Musa Zondi announced in a statement on Wednesday evening that the media briefing was postponed to Thursday.
“For reasons beyond our control, the police minister wishes to inform that we are postponing the scheduled media briefing to tomorrow evening at the same time 7pm…,” Zondi said.
“The reason for the rescheduling is to allow…for the formal announcement and tabling for further consideration by Parliament.”
The long-awaited briefing was expected to clarify whether Zuma would be compelled to pay back some of the costs for improvements to his Nkandla home. Last month, National Assembly Speaker Baleka Mbete said the process to set up an ad hoc committee to consider Nhleko’s report had already begun.
Nhleko was asked to compile the report following recommendations by Madonsela in March last year that Zuma pay back a portion of the money used to effect security upgrades to his home.
Madonsela found Zuma had unfairly benefited from the upgrades which included a swimming pool, a chicken run and a visitors’ centre.
ANA