/ 3 November 2012

DA visit to Nkandla ‘unnecessary and unwarranted’ says ANC

Zille
Zille

"We view this as unnecessary and unwarranted provocation with an intent to violate the privacy of the President, his family and the people of eNkandla," spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement  on Saturday.

"We reiterate our call on the DA not to proceed with the invasion which is the action of provocation."

The Democratic Alliance said on Thursday it was planning to visit Zuma's private residence, where a R200-million upgrade was in progress.

Zille, accompanied by DA officials, would inspect roads around the property on Sunday and attempt to enter the compound.

On Friday, the Eastern Cape ANC said the inspection was similar to raids conducted by the apartheid government, while the KwaZulu-Natal ANC warned Zille to abandon her inspection or face violation from local residents.

Arrogance
Mthembu said the ANC agree with the fact that there should be no-go areas in the country for all political parties.

"It our held view that this applies in relation to elections campaigning and we strongly condemn unceremonious and arrogance of private residence invasion as intended by the DA in this instance," he said.

"The myopic opportunistic plan of the DA undermines the investigative work that has been undertaken by the Public Protector, the Auditor General and the department of public works that seeks to clarify whether tax payer's money was used wrongly …"

He said this demonstrated that the DA had no faith in institutions that have been created to enhance accountability and transparency.

"The ANC welcomes all investigations that have been initiated to ensure the cloud and allegations of mischief created by the opposition parties are fully investigated and all facts confirmed," said Mthembu.

"As the ANC we are fully aware that the President and his family built their residences and all the homestead structures paraded as if they were built by tax payers' money, a very unfair accusation on our President."

The president's private home will reportedly feature underground bunkers, a clinic, a fire station, special quarters for police, and a helipad.

Reports have estimated the cost of the work to be between R203-million and R238 million.

Zuma will reportedly pay only 5% of the bill – around R10-million. – Sapa