Nkandla tour – media only allowed selected peek at upgrades
Presidential spokesman Bongani Majola said the media would be allowed to see some selected upgrades, namely the visitors' area, the clinic, helicopter landing area and the security staff housing.
THE Nkandla homestead of President Jacob Zuma was the focus of national attention yesterday (Wednesday) as the Parliamentary Ad-Hoc Committee arrived to inspect the controversial upgrades.
The media had applied for permission to accompany the committee on their visit, but the request was denied.
Both groupings were eager to see the upgrades to the homestead, which is believed to have cost the taxpayer R248-million.
Of this amount, opposition parties are claiming that at least R52.9-million was not spent on security upgrades and should be paid back.
On Wednesday, however, Presidential spokesman Bongani Majola said the media would be allowed to see some selected upgrades, namely the visitors’ area, the clinic, helicopter landing area and the security staff housing.
The SA National Editors Forum’s Deputy Chairperson of the Media Freedom Committee, Raymond Louw, said they were disappointed with the ruling.
Only limited access to the media meant that important information was being withheld from the public.
The DA organised an alternative media tour of the area which was disrupted by ANC members who blocked the road.
Provincial leader, Zwakele Mncwango, chief whip John Steenhuisen and MP Phumzile van Damme joined the media tour when the ad-hoc committee entered the homestead.
The media tour’s aim was to visit local residents living in the surrounding villages and observe their living conditions.
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