Earlier SA’s Sunday Times also reported that the building of such a town would go ahead. The report said the President himself held a meeting with local businessmen to confirm that “challenges” with the project were expected to be resolved.
As far back as 2012, when news of the place – nicknamed Zumaville – first surfaced, the labour movement Afriforum lodged a complaint with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
“As the president, he [Zuma] gave instructions that this [development] should be done,” Afriforum deputy CEO Ernst Roets said at the time. “But then he is also the chairman of Masibambisane [Rural Development Initiative], the company that will be involved in it. He is also a beneficiary in his personal capacity because this will improve the value of his own house.”
This does remind us of a similar development in a previous President’s back when a large airport was built not far from Pres. PW Botha’s house in Wildernes.
Now The Times say they have confirmation that a full investigation will be launched into the Zumaville affair. It remains unclear what exactly will be investigated but the complaint involves allegations of abuse of power and misuse of public funds.
This investigation comes right at the time when security cluster ministers are planning to have the public protector’s findings on the Nkandla matter set aside in court. Madonsela said this move is highly premature and she does not believe any court will find in their favour.
