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CAPE TOWN. — South Africa’s national assembly was brought to a halt yesterday as far-left lawmakers noisily chanted “pay back the money” at President Jacob Zuma, after $23 million in public funds was spent on his home.
Zuma was responding to questions in the usually calm parliament about the controversial security upgrade to his residence in Nkandla, which came under heavy criticism in a report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in March.
Madonsela’s report said Zuma had “benefited unduly” from some of the upgrades, which included a cattle enclosure and amphitheatre, and should pay back some of the costs of the unnecessary renovations.
Zuma submitted to parliament his response to Madonsela and other reports on the Nkandla upgrades last week and a bi-partisan committee of the national assembly has been set up to carry out a further review.
“When are you paying the money?” asked a finger-wagging Julius Malema, leader of the far-left Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). — Reuters
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter