AfriForum today asked the Public Protector to investigate government’s decision to build a new town of R2 billion, a stone’s throw away from the president’s home town. According to recent media reports, the Department of Rural Development plans to build the Umlalazi-Nkandla Smart Growth Centre merely 3,2 km from Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal. This project will be implemented in cooperation with the rural development organisation, Masibambisane. Zuma is the chairman of Masibambisane.
In his letter to the Public Protector, Ernst Roets, deputy CEO of AfriForum, says that the information available to the public indicates that this decision constitutes preferential treatment by die president of his home town. Roets explained that no indication has, to date, been given why it was decided to specifically launch this extravagant project in Zuma’s home town.
‘The president is acting in three capacities: he is government’s executive authority, the chairperson of the government’s partner in this project and a citizen who has a personal interest in Nkandla who would also benefit by this project. This is unethical, to say the least.’
Roets added that service delivery, crime prevention and education are in crisis across the country and this project could create the impression with any reasonable South African that the president is putting his own interests before those of his country.
The weekly paper, Mail & Guardian, Friday reported that R1 billion for this project will come from tax payers’ pockets, while a further R1 billion will be raised by the private sector.
