DA to submit PAIA application for Nkandla architectural plans
The DA will file a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application with the Department of Public Works to ascertain if President Jacob Zuma signed off on architectural plans for improvements to his private home at Nkandla.
The Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi, has refused to disclose whose signature appears on the architectural plans for the President's private home at Nkandla, in a reply to a DA parliamentary question. Minister Nxesi claims that the Department of Public Works cannot provide details due to the on-going Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation.
It is strange that Minister Nxesi has been providing answers to most other DA questions, but refuses to provide an answer to this question. If there is nothing to hide, surely Minister Nxesi would have no problem in giving a straight forward answer to the question.
It is often the case that the owner of the building would sign off on architectural plans. If President Zuma did sign these plans, it further proves that he had intimate knowledge of the upgrades. It would then mean that President Zuma deliberately misled Parliament and the nation about what he knew and didn't know regarding the upgrades.
If he didn't, why won't he just answer the question.
Minister Nxesi has been complacent throughout this entire Nkandla saga in his attempt to cover-up President Zuma's involvement. The Minister has however been exposed time and time again hence the reason why the DA submitted a motion of censure against him for his numerous misleading comments regarding the Nkandla debacle.
Corruption must be rooted out and the DA will not rest until President Zuma and his cabinet are held to account for the gross abuse of public funds.
South Africans deserve better. A vote for DA on 7 May is a vote to fight corruption and maladministration.
Statement issued by Anchen Dreyer, DA Shadow Minister of Public Works, April 9 2014
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