Zuma never requested upgrades

LET me welcome the public protector's report of investigation into the security upgrades at President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla residence.

The report is consistent with the governmental inter-ministerial task team to confirm several crucial findings. However Zuma in the first place never requested security evaluations and any upgrades by the state at his Nkandla residence.

The president had his own upgrades taking place prior to the security installations by the state. No state resources were used to build any house for the president or any member of his family at his residence.

He did not have to be involved operationally and in any line function in the project undertaken by the state, neither did he influence or prefer the appointment of any service provider.

I am extremely concerned at the manner in which the public protector handled this investigation which, I believe, has compromised certain fundamental principles of justice, fairness and therefore the credibility of the investigation. The leaking earlier of the report to the Mail and Guardian and the habit of making comments on an incomplete process have all negatively affected and unnecessarily cast aspersions on the person of Zuma.

The duration of time spent by the public protector in what constituted a parallel investigation is lengthy compared to the inter-ministerial task team's investigation into the same matter.

Action to process its recommendations was similarly implemented decisively. Already the president has signed a proclamation for the Special Investigation Unit to take up matters that were referred to it by recommendations of the inter-ministerial task team report.

I also commend the government for taking a lead and reiterate to the relevant government departments to move decisively with appropriate speed in bringing any person who committed wrongdoing to book.

Thabang Maseko, Eastern Cape spokesman, Young Communist League SA