Nkandla worries ANC: report

The ANC was concerned about how upgrades at President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla homestead were handled, the Sunday Independent reported.

African National Congress treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize told the newspaper: "The ANC is saying yes, we are uncomfortable with this and there must be further investigation."

The upgrades were necessary, but marred by inefficient supervision, he said.

"The need for a government to secure its president is not in question. But this project was not handled properly. The biggest problem has been the poor supervision of it all."

He expressed concerned over price adjustments, from R65 million to over R200m.

He also said there were communication problems on how the project had been explained to South Africans.

"There is a whole host of ministers, a whole host of officials who should have been out there communicating.

"If government had been upfront about it all, it would have made a big difference. And the ANC is uncomfortable with this," said Mkhize.

He said he had received satisfactory answers regarding some of the features of the upgrade, particularly the controversial R2,8 million firepool.

It had no steps, was two meters deep, with the silicone base of a swimming pool, and water was pumped from a reservoir, to the pool, and out through tubes to a sprinkler system.

He would not have known had he not asked.

- enca