Outspoken ANC MP Thandi Mahambehlala on Thursday attacked public protector Thuli Madonsela’s Nkandla report, saying that it was misleading.
“All these things [we are discussing] are mentioned in the public protector’s report as unduly benefiting the president.”
Mahambehlala said she was traumatised by the fact that a person in such a high position would mislead South Africans into thinking that President Jacob Zuma abused public funds.
The Nkandla ad hoc committee discussed their experience of visiting Zuma’s private residence in KwaNxamalala village against Police Minister Nathi Nhlako’s report, which was presented earlier this week at the KwaZulu-Natal Legislature in Pietermaritzburg.
Freedom Front Plus’s Corne Mulder was angered by Mahambehlala’s comments and raised a point of order, saying what Mahambehlala was doing was wrong.
“She is clearly saying that the public protector is misleading South Africans. It is wrong and she cannot say that,” said Mulder.
Committee chairperson Cedric Frolick said members’ personal opinions should be respected, before allowing Mahambehlala to continue.
“The information we are discussing today [Thursday] is contained in the report and you know that, Mulder. There is no distortion,” Mahambehlala said.
“The report has misled the country. It has misled South Africans and tarnished the image of our government and the credibility of our government.
“The president has been labelled and called so many words around the world. Corrupt, a thief – you name them,” she said, adding that people did so confidently and without any basis other than the report.
“And some of our people were clapping hands to this report and today [Thursday] they are melting,” she said.
She agreed that the Constitution had been violated during the construction of Nkandla. – News24.com