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Report Faults South African Leader for State-Funded Work on Home Report Faults South African Leader for State-Funded Work on Home
(6 months later)
LONDON — Less than two months before national elections, South Africa’s public protector issued a report on Wednesday finding that President Jacob G. Zuma “benefited unduly,” in a manner “inconsistent with his office,” from state-funded improvements worth around $23 million to his rural estate that were supposed to enhance presidential security. LONDON — Less than two months before national elections, South Africa’s public protector issued a report on Wednesday finding that President Jacob G. Zuma “benefited unduly,” in a manner “inconsistent with his office,” from state-funded improvements worth around $23 million to his rural estate that were supposed to enhance presidential security.
The expansion of Mr. Zuma’s luxurious homestead in the village of Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal Province has been widely chronicled in newspaper reports showing a swimming pool, a visitor center, a cattle enclosure and an amphitheater, among other additions. The public protector’s report, excerpts from which were read aloud on South African radio, said the supposed security renovations also included a chicken coop. A swimming pool was described as firefighting equipment to justify the cost.The expansion of Mr. Zuma’s luxurious homestead in the village of Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal Province has been widely chronicled in newspaper reports showing a swimming pool, a visitor center, a cattle enclosure and an amphitheater, among other additions. The public protector’s report, excerpts from which were read aloud on South African radio, said the supposed security renovations also included a chicken coop. A swimming pool was described as firefighting equipment to justify the cost.
With Mr. Zuma’s dominant African National Congress facing the prospect of a reduced majority in the May 7 elections, the 444-page report by Thuli Madonsela, the public protector, could deepen public disaffection. South Africa’s public protector functions as a national ombudsman.With Mr. Zuma’s dominant African National Congress facing the prospect of a reduced majority in the May 7 elections, the 444-page report by Thuli Madonsela, the public protector, could deepen public disaffection. South Africa’s public protector functions as a national ombudsman.
The party has led South Africa since the first elections after the end of apartheid in 1994. But it has been associated with accusations of corruption, incompetence and failure to deliver the public services it has long promised to South Africans living in poverty.The party has led South Africa since the first elections after the end of apartheid in 1994. But it has been associated with accusations of corruption, incompetence and failure to deliver the public services it has long promised to South Africans living in poverty.
The opposition Democratic Alliance said Wednesday that it would seek Mr. Zuma’s impeachment — a largely symbolic gesture, given the A.N.C.’s strength in Parliament.The opposition Democratic Alliance said Wednesday that it would seek Mr. Zuma’s impeachment — a largely symbolic gesture, given the A.N.C.’s strength in Parliament.
Urging Mr. Zuma to repay “a reasonable percentage of the cost of the measures,” the report said, “The president tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital investment in the nonsecurity installations at his private residence.”Urging Mr. Zuma to repay “a reasonable percentage of the cost of the measures,” the report said, “The president tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital investment in the nonsecurity installations at his private residence.”
Mr. Zuma has weathered a series of scandals, and his party has routinely supported him. The elections in May — which are expected to give Mr. Zuma a second term as president — are important because they will show the extent to which disillusionment with the A.N.C. could redraw the political landscape.Mr. Zuma has weathered a series of scandals, and his party has routinely supported him. The elections in May — which are expected to give Mr. Zuma a second term as president — are important because they will show the extent to which disillusionment with the A.N.C. could redraw the political landscape.
Ms. Madonsela has been investigating state expenditures on the homestead at Nkandla for around two years, although news of the contentious construction projects emerged in newspaper reports more than four years ago.Ms. Madonsela has been investigating state expenditures on the homestead at Nkandla for around two years, although news of the contentious construction projects emerged in newspaper reports more than four years ago.
At that time, the cost of the improvements was estimated at $6 million, but the scale of the spending has mushroomed. The report said ministers had mismanaged the improvements in an “appalling manner.”At that time, the cost of the improvements was estimated at $6 million, but the scale of the spending has mushroomed. The report said ministers had mismanaged the improvements in an “appalling manner.”
In a statement issued by his office, Mr. Zuma said he had “consistently been concerned about the allegations of impropriety around procurement in the Nkandla project.” It said he would study the findings of the report and communicate his response “in due course.”In a statement issued by his office, Mr. Zuma said he had “consistently been concerned about the allegations of impropriety around procurement in the Nkandla project.” It said he would study the findings of the report and communicate his response “in due course.”
Mr. Zuma’s supporters say the improvements relate to the requirements of presidential security, but the cost has been estimated to be many times higher than the amount spent on securing the home of Nelson Mandela, who died in December, or any other former president.Mr. Zuma’s supporters say the improvements relate to the requirements of presidential security, but the cost has been estimated to be many times higher than the amount spent on securing the home of Nelson Mandela, who died in December, or any other former president.
“Some of these measures can be legitimately classified as unlawful, and the acts involved constitute improper conduct and maladministration,” the report said. Money to complete the work was diverted from inner-city regeneration projects.“Some of these measures can be legitimately classified as unlawful, and the acts involved constitute improper conduct and maladministration,” the report said. Money to complete the work was diverted from inner-city regeneration projects.
Mr. Zuma’s compound, which is surrounded by a security fence, straddles a ridge line in the rolling hills of a region where many struggle just to get by. Most people in the country live in far less opulent circumstances, millions are unemployed and many have no access to basic services, like running water, sanitation and electricity.Mr. Zuma’s compound, which is surrounded by a security fence, straddles a ridge line in the rolling hills of a region where many struggle just to get by. Most people in the country live in far less opulent circumstances, millions are unemployed and many have no access to basic services, like running water, sanitation and electricity.