DA will conduct Nkandla oversight visit responsibly

2The Democratic Alliance (DA) visit to Nkandla this weekend will go ahead as planned despite ANC threats that it will be met with violence.

We live in a democratic South Africa. There can be no ‘no-go' areas for any political party. 

The DA will be sending a small delegation of DA leaders to visit the Nkandla site on Sunday We have no intention of entering the President's property; and we have no intention of protesting or engaging in any kind of provocative action. 

We understand only too well that this is a private residence. This is exactly why we are opposed to the government spending R250 million of public money on it. 

We will respect the privacy of the President and his family. But the ANC must respect the democratic right and duty of an opposition party to conduct oversight and hold powerful politicians accountable.

For too long this project has been shrouded in secrecy. Given the huge public interest in this issue, we have decided to visit the site to see what is happening there for ourselves. We will do so responsibly at all times.

Statement issued by Mmusi Maimane, DA National Spokesperson, November 2 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter