South African Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Thursday early estimates of the cost of non-security upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s personal residence were around 10 million rand.
However, Madonsela cautioned that this would probably not be the final figure that Zuma has to repay as it was arrived at early in the investigation into the renovations that overall cost 240 million rand ($16.3 million).
This comes after Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng ruled that Public Protector’s remedial actions are binding and President Jacob Zuma was supposed to comply whether he agreed or not and that he must personally pay back some of the money spent for security on his Nkandla homestead that are not security features.
“The remedial action taken against the president has a binding effect,” said Mogoeng. Adding that the ampitheatre, swimming pool, visitor’s centre, chicken run and the kraal were identified by the public protector as non-security features.
“When remedial action is binding, compliance is not optional. Whatever reservations the affected party might have about its fairness, appropriateness or fairness,” said Mogoeng. – Reuters/Sowetan LIVE