/ 29 March 2014

ANC NEC to address Nkandla report

Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead.
Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead.

"Indeed on the agenda we also have what probably you have all come here for, the report of the public protector on the security upgrades at Nkandla," ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said while speaking briefly to reporters on the sidelines of the national executive committee (NEC) meeting in Cape Town on Saturday.

Mthembu refused to be drawn on specifics. "I won't take any questions because once we open for questions, all of you would like to ask all sorts of questions, which we'll not be able to answer because we are not having a press conference," he said. "It's just a briefing to keep you updated on what's happening inside."

Earlier, reporters were allowed into the conference venue for a few minutes for a photo opportunity. President Jacob Zuma sat on the podium with the rest of the ANC leadership with his head bowed. He later waved at the NEC group seated in front of him, joking with photographers and saying they should be focusing their cameras in their direction.

Also on the agenda for Saturday was the annual report on the state of the party to be presented by secretary general Gwede Mantashe.

The NEC began sitting on Friday where other issues, including preparations for the upcoming elections were discussed. "There's no way that we could have not discussed elections," said Mthembu.

A media briefing on the outcomes of the NEC meeting will be held in Johannesburg on Monday. Questions on the public protector's report would likely be put to Mantashe. There has been mounting pressure from opposition parties for impeachment proceedings to be initiated against Zuma. Madonsela found that Zuma had unduly benefited from upgrades at his private residence, which included a swimming pool, a chicken run and a visitor's centre. – Sapa