JOHANNESBURG
The ruling African National Congress (ANC) has said it would not apologize on behalf of President Jacob Zuma, the party leader who has been accused by South Africa's anti-corruption czar of using public funds to renovate his personal country house in the Nkandla province.
"The ANC does not have a house in Nkandla," party secretary-general Gwede Mantashe told a Thursday press conference.
He said if the party apologized on the president's behalf, then South Africans would perceive it as a cover-up.
Mantashe asserted that, if an apology was required, those involved – not the party – should offer it.
He said the party would advise the president on whether or not to repay some of the money.
South African Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Wednesday blamed Zuma for using massive public funds to renovate his country house.
"The expenditure incurred by the state, including buildings and other items installed by the Department of Public Works, many of which went beyond what was reasonably required for the president's security, was unconscionable, excessive and caused a misappropriation of public funds," she said in a 400-page report on the scandal.
The upgrade of Zuma's rural home in the town of Nkandla in the Kwazulu Natala province was supposed to have cost the state some $2.5 million.
But with lavish upgrades – including a swimming pool, cattle kraal and visitor's center – the total cost skyrocketed to some $23 million.
Madonsela, who launched her investigation in 2012 following complaints by the public, also found that several government officials involved in the project had failed to follow standard management policies.
She has ordered the president to repay the money spent on unnecessary upgrades of his country home.
Zuma, who served as deputy president between 1999 and 2005, was elected president in 2009. In the past, he has faced charges of rape and corruption.
The office of public protector was established by the South African constitution to safeguard democracy and fight corruption.
The public protector may investigate – on the basis of a complaint or on its own initiative – any government agency on the local, provincial or national level.
By Hassan Isilow
englishnews@aa.com.tr
