Maimane challenges Zuma on Nkandla

South Africans could not trust President Jacob Zuma until he told the truth about state spending at his private Nkandla home, Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said on Wednesday (18/06/2014).

In his maiden speech to Parliament, Maimane said Zuma failed to mention corruption in his state-of-the-nation address on Tuesday night, though South Africans knew it started at the top and were used to scandals surrounding the president.

"Until the Honourable President fully explains himself on the undue benefit from state funds, to his personal private property, amounting to millions of rands, South Africa cannot trust in his word," Maimane said in the debate on Zuma's address.

"The public protector has spoken. The president has not. The people of this nation have absolutely no explanation from their president on damning allegations against him."

He said it was imperative that Parliament re-established an ad hoc committee to mull Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's findings that Zuma derived improper benefit from the R246 million public upgrade at his home in rural Kwa-Zulu-Natal. - Sapa