According to the task team report released on 19 December, allegations that Zuma used state resources for the security upgrades to his private residence were unfounded.
The report found that the upgrades were necessitated by the rural setting of the area where security risks are high.
“Because of the violent history of this area of KwaZulu-Natal and the fact that the Zuma homestead and family members had previously been attacked on three occasions and the fact that the President has to conduct government functions such as receiving official delegations, holding regular meetings and business consultations from his private residence necessitated major security upgrades in Nkandla,” the report stated.
Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi, who together with the Ministers of Police and State Security appointed the task team, moved to clear Zuma of any responsibility over the project, saying that he had not requested the upgrades.
“President Zuma had not asked for the security installations. As per normal procedure and as per their mandate, the South African Police Service and Department of Defence conducted a security assessment of the area,” Nxesi said.
Nxesi said the upgrades at the Nkandla homestead were necessary and that the government had a responsibility to provide security for their heads of state and their families, and therefore security is provided at state’s expense.
According to the inter-ministerial report, the actual security installation cost about R71 million.
Additionally, approximately R135 million was spent on operational needs and the basic facilities such as water, power and accommodation needed for South African Police Services and South African National Defence Force personnel as part of the security upgrade.
However, the task team found supply chain irregularities relating to pricing and collusion, which are being investigated by the Special Investigating Unit and the Auditor General.
The report clarified that the controversial tuck shop, which had been on the property before Zuma’s inauguration, had to be moved elsewhere on the premises as it posed a security risk.
The relocation expenses were, therefore, absorbed by the government and not Zuma.
The swimming pool, amphitheatre, cattle culvert and other amenities constructed at Nkandla were all necessary, it found.
The property’s amphitheatre is, in fact, a 4m-high retaining wall, which is meant for ground protection.
The swimming pool serves a “fire pool’, which will be used for firefighting due to the area’s erratic water supply.
A cattle culvert was erected to ensure that the cattle were secured in a dedicated area to prevent them from damaging the electronic equipment and fence.
The report, which has been ready since January, was classified for security reasons.
Nxesi said the version released on 19 December had also been edited for security reasons.
This week, trade unions and opposition parties attacked Zuma following the Nkandla scandal.
According to media reports, newly elected president of metalworkers’ union Numsa, Andrew Chirwa called for Zuma to resign, saying that by doing so he will prove that he is serious about serving the interests of the people.
The AgangSA youth wing echoed Chirwa’s call for Zuma’s resignation.
