Agang SA Wants President Zuma to Repay Nkandla Palace Millions
Johannesburg; 29 November 2013: The Public Protector's report into the astounding abuse of public money on President Zuma's palace at Nkandla, comes as no surprise: we have always known that Number One's fingerprints were all over the cookie jar.
A story on the report, published in today's Mail & Guardian, shows how Zuma splurged millions of rands of our money on facilities that had nothing to do with security, as his cohort of security cluster ministers would like the public to believe.
These facilities, which were purely intended to ensure the president and his family can live in the lap of luxury at taxpayers' expense; include a swimming pool, a visitors' centre, amphitheatre, cattle kraal, marque area, extensive paving and new houses for family members relocated especially for the purpose of having a free ride at the taxpayers‘ expense.
The protector's report, titled "Opulence on a Grand Scale", showed how costs on the president's lavish palace had escalated from R27 million to R15 million, with a further R31 million still to be spent.
President Zuma should pay back every rand of public improperly spent on making him live like the monarchy he fancies himself to be, which is out of kilter with the behaviour expected to the head of government in a constitutional democracy accountable to the public.
A fish rots from the head. President Zuma sets a bad example for the rest of society. Small wonder then that rogue service providers, in cahoots with corrupt Public Works, do not think twice of over-charging government for goods and services - including leasing drinking glasses for use during official functions at the presidential guesthouse in Pretoria for as much as R200 each.
Old habits die hard. This, by the way, is the same man who, thanks to the ANC, became president despite facing more than 700 charges of corruption.
Enough is enough we need a clean accountable government that shows respect to the people whom it represents. That is why need electoral reform so that people can vote for the President of their choice, rather than one imposed on them.
Statement issued by Thabo Leshilo, Communications Director, Agang SA, November 29 2013
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