A wall to protect a wall - the DA calls on the Public Protector to investigate further security upgrades

25 April 2014

The DA will write to the Public Protector, Adv. Thuli Madonsala to launch an investigation into the building of an additional wall, to the tune of R20 million, which surrounds an existing multi-million rand fence at the ministerial compound, Bryntirion Estate, in Pretoria (see M&G report).

This comes seven years after the construction of the controversial R90 million "anti-climb, motion-detection security fences" around the complex, which includes President Jacob Zuma's official residence in Pretoria.

It must be asked why another expensive "security wall" is needed to protect an already controversial state-of-the-art structure.

There is an increasing trend, as evidenced with the Nkandla scandal, that public money is being spent improperly and wastefully by the Department of Public Works - all under the guise of "security upgrades".

The department must not take the people for granted. We know a swimming pool when we see one, and we know too that building a R20 million fence, when one already exists, is ridiculous.

I trust that the Public Protector will probe this most recent example of state abuse of public funds. 

The DA will also ask parliamentary questions when the fifth Parliament is convened to ascertain details on the contractors; the official reasons for the additional wall; as well as who made the request.

It is high time that public money is spent on projects that would improve service delivery, grow the economy, and create jobs - and not to benefit a politically connected few.

Statement issued by Anchen Dreyer MP, DA Shadow Minister of Public Works, April 25 2014

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