AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - "The President is not liable for any non-security upgrades to his private residence"; Bishops: "we are afraid"

Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) - "We note with dismay the determination in the report released by the police Minister Nathi Nhleko last week that President Zuma is not liable for any non-security upgrades to his private residence at Nkandla" says a note of the Episcopal "Justice and Peace" Commission, sent to Fides, on the controversy arising from the work, paid with state funds, in President Jacob Zuma’s private residence (see Fides 04/04/2015).
The controversy related to the fact that in addition to the costs to strengthen security measures of the villa, the State shouldered the expenses for "improvements" such as a swimming pool and an amphitheater. Last week, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said that these expenses are legitimate. Nhleko’s conclusions are in contrast with those of the Public Protector (an independent institution that has the task of monitoring the conduct of public officials).
"There are a lot of legal and constitutional matters that are being contested in relation to the Public Protector’s report on Nkandla", said "Justice and Peace". "As Church, our role is to remind our political leaders of their ethical responsibility. In this role, we wish to remind our political leaders that, at a time when millions of our people are struggling to make ends meet, it is morally unjustifiable for the government to spend excessive amounts of money – R246 million – on one person and on non-security items highlighted by the public protector’s report".
"Justice and Peace" calls on President Zuma to "show ethical leadership and take some responsibility for the runaway expenditure on the Nkandla project". "We strongly appeal to the government to make sure that the Nkandla saga does not diminish the capacity of the office of the public protector to fight corruption", the message concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 03/06/2015)