Nkandla ad hoc committee starts work

The ad hoc committee that will deliberate on President Jacob Zuma’s response to investigations into public spending at his Nkandla home will meet on Friday.

In April, Zuma declined to respond in full to Madonsela’s report within the requisite fortnight.

Madonsela found he had violated the Executive Ethics Code by failing to act in a manner that protected state resources, and that this was inconsistent with his position.

In her report released in March and titled “Secure in Comfort”, Madonsela held that Zuma had unduly benefited from improvements worth R246 million at Nkandla.

She ordered that he repay the state for the work that did not relate to security. At the time, she also gave the president two weeks to respond.

Zuma delayed his response to August 14, and in it made clear that he was not commenting on Madonsela’s report or accepting its findings.

Instead, he referred the decision on repayment to Police Minister Nathi Nhleko.

- Sapa