Police Minister Nathi Nhleko released his report on the controversial R246-million security upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s private home in Nkandla last week.
His fire pool demonstration proved to be a particularly entertaining talking point and Twitter got heated. The video portrayed what Nhleko imagined the uses of the fire pool were, in order to validate its existence and the use of tax payers money on the facility.
Unlike public protector Thuli Madonsela’s report, journalists were in for a treat as Nhleko during his presentation, demonstrated how to use a ‘firepool’ – one of the most controversial features of the Nkandla home.
All this achieved, was some more burnt bridges between the public and the Zuma administration.
The Nkandla debacle is obviously a serious matter, but the ridiculous video took on a life of its own – as expected – when Twitter started contributing its own uses of the fire pool, further demonstrating the laughable attempts to justify it.
A week may have passed, but Tweeps are still talking about a hot topic, the “Fire Pool Demonstration”.
Let’s take a look.
1. If you’re going to have a fire pool, at least follow regulations:
2. Unnecessary expenditure is not always necessary. Clearly Zuma lacks some creative thinking.
3. South Africa, always improvising on job descriptions:
4. In case of fire, tow fire pool:
5. Fill in the blanks Mr president:
Nhleko said the R3.9-million swimming pool “is first to be used for fire fighting, second, recreation in the homestead”, revealing its true purpose as a vital security feature. We’re not so convinced though…