Wednesday, July 10, 2013

State Spent Millions on Nkandla Luxuries

Documents published confirm that at least R 52 million spent on non-security features

Nkandlagate: Documents confirm public spending on prestige presidential palace

Documents obtained by the Mail & Guardian newspaper confirm that millions of public money spent by the Department of Public Works on Nkandla relate to presidential luxuries rather than security upgrades as previously claimed by the Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi (see here). These latest revelations add to the growing stockpile of evidence against so called ‘security concerns' used in attempts to suppress information regarding the spending scandal. 
The relevant documents, entitled "Durban Prestige Project A: Motivations and cost allocations", confirm public spending totalling at least R52 million on items that do not relate to security upgrades, R11.4 million on landscaping alone. Other items outlined in the documents that are indicative of gross excessive expenditure on presidential luxuries include:

  • R160,000 spent on special lighting at the estate's "social node"; 
  • R210,000 spent on a timber pergola over parking at the residential arrival;
  • R500,000 on a tuck-shop and associated costs included in the same line item;
  • R700,000 spent on paving between the residential terrace and other walkways;
  • R1.4 million for a new kraal and related vegetation;
  • R2 million spent on refuse-removal facilities;
  • R2.3 million on parking space;
  • R9 million on 6 roads in and around the estate;
  • R10 million on costs associated to the construction of a helipad.

What is even more disturbing than the costs outlined in the documents, are the motivations provided for them. Many of the costs are justified in the documents as "enhance(ing) the estate to a Prestige Level". Other motivations for expenditures include "to create an African identity which enhances the experience for visiting Heads of State", "to assist with a sense of arrival" and "bringing the project in line with Prestige Projects". 

According to the Presidency there are two official offices for the President and five official residences - two in Pretoria and Cape Town respectively and another in Durban. These buildings are owned and maintained by the State to accommodate a sitting President and allow him to host official vising guests. There is simply no justification for President Zuma's private residence at Nkandla to be upgraded to this extent. 

I will write to the committee chair, Mrs Manana Mabuza, requesting that all of these documents obtained by the Mail and Guardian be placed before the Portfolio Committee of Public Works for scrutiny. If necessary we will request that National Assembly rule 138 be invoked to summon Minister Nxesi to appear before the committee to explain the spending.

The DA also continues to await response to our appeal of the non-response to the PAIA application to gain access to the Task Team Report. Given the evidence set out above, it is clear that the "security concerns" argument can no longer be used to justify it being withheld from the DA and Parliament.

The DA will continue to do everything in its power to ensure the truth about Nkandla is revealed and that those responsible are held accountable, regardless of who they are. This scandal is now reaching a tipping point - if Minister Nxesi has nothing to hide he would be well advised to stop his relentless cover-up. 
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71654?oid=389914&sn=Detail&pid=71616

World-class African city? You're kidding



The City of Johannesburg's claim that it is a "world-class African city" 

 "Imagine a city where you can rest assured, knowing that it is financially stable ." 
 "despite the economic downturn" and was 
"saving the environment" through various 
"energy-efficient interventions".
"Can you imagine living in such a city? You do. These are just some of the City of Joburg's many significant achievements," 
But complainant Steven Haywood dismantled the claims. He said though the city claimed to be financially stable, it had, in fact, received three qualified audits, its waste-management service provider, Pikitup, was bankrupt and "leaves refuse lying in the streets for days", and the Johannesburg Roads Agency was unable to repair the city's roads.
On the city's claim to be environmentally friendly, Haywood said electricity worth R1.2-billion and water worth R800-million were being lost monthly.
"The respondent has not disputed the allegation that it has received a qualified audit for three years in a row, that it runs high losses on, inter alia, electricity and water, or that its Pikitup service is bankrupt," it said.

Selebi 'drowning in debt'

Former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's lawyer Wynanda Coetzee says he is battling financially, and will not be able to pay back the money he owes.Picture:EWN

Former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's lawyer Wynanda Coetzee says he is battling financially, and will not be able to pay back the money he owes

Jackie Selebi won’t be able to pay the R17 million he owes in legal and medical costs, his lawyer Wynanda Coetzee said on Wednesday.  
This comes almost a year after the convicted fraudster was released from Pretoria Central Prison on medical parole. 
The former National Police Commissioner was released just a year after serving less than a year of his 15 year jail term for corruption. 
Coetzee says he is battling financially and will not be able to pay back the money he owes.
“There is just not enough money and he is going in arrears every month.”
Selebi who suffers from diabetes and end-stage kidney disease is still receiving his daily dialysis. 
However, Coetzee says his health is not improving and he cannot take part in any activities. 
She says anyone who claims they have seen him out and about in Johannesburg is wrong.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Dianne Kohler Barnard says Selebi is receiving preferential treatment.
“Every third or fourth month I ask what is happening and how far along this issue is, and the answer we get is they are still negotiating. I don’t think they would still be negotiating if it was you or me. They would take your house and you would be bankrupt but Selebi gets special treatment.”