About 10km away from President Jacob Zuma’s KwaNxamalala village homestead in the Nkandla district, construction workers are hard at work, oblivious to the scorching heat.
On close inspection, however, the workers – who appear to be in a jovial mood, singing and chatting – have covered their faces with calamine lotion to protect their skin from the blazing sun.
Most of them wave when they notice the Daily News-branded car.
Some ask for copies of newspapers, while others pass snide remarks about the media that has been hounding their small rural village since news of Zuma’s multimillion-rand compound upgrade broke last week.
Reports have put the costs of the lavish upgrades – to be paid for by the taxpayer – at between R203 million and R238m, with the president paying about R10m.
The Mail & Guardian reported that the cost could escalate to R238m and this would be on top of the R1 billion earmarked for the new town to be built in the area.
Additions to the homestead reportedly include the building of a helipad, underground bunkers and fencing around the entire complex.
Other facilities are believed to include three sets of underground living quarters with about 10 air-conditioned rooms, a clinic for the president and his family, a gymnasium, 20 houses for security guards, underground parking, playgrounds and a visitors’ centre.
There has been a national outcry over the plan with opposition parties accusing Zuma and the Department of Public Works of giving Nkandla preferential treatment over the rest the country.
Investigated
The upgrade will be investigated by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, who was first approached to probe the spending in December.
Last week, she received another complaint, from DA Parliamentary leader, Lindiwe Mazibuko, who also wanted Parliament to hold a special debate on the spending.
Parliament’s watchdog over the public purse, the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), wants answers, and civil society watchdog, Corruption Watch, has also sent a list of questions to Public Works minister, Thulas Nxesi, that it wants answered by Friday.
The initial complainant had asked Madonsela to establish whether or not the spending on the homestead’s upgrade was lawful, justifiable and whether or not all the proper tender processes had been followed, she said this week.
Corruption Watch’s executive director, David Lewis, said the amount of money being spent, and the fact that it far exceeded outlay on any of the residences of the country’s former presidents, meant that questions needed to be asked.
The DA’s spokeswoman for Public Works, Anchen Dreyer, who described the veil of secrecy surrounding the revamp as “the scandal of Nkandlagate”, said she would push for an urgent meeting of the portfolio committee where Nxesi would have to explain himself.
The IFP has also questioned the expenditure, with the party’s provincial legislature leader, Blessed Gwala, calling it a total abuse of taxpayers’ money.
On Friday, Public Works acting director-general, Mandisa Fatyela-Lindie, described the disclosure of the security upgrade at the homestead as a security matter.
The department, she said, would never divulge the cost of the project.
When the Daily News visited the impoverished village last week, the road leading up to Zuma’s house was a hive of activity with a group of about six workers stationed at every 2km.
Women controlled the flow of traffic as some lanes were closed because of the revamp.
Several roads in the village have been upgraded, including the P50, leading up to Zuma’s homestead which was riddled with potholes just three months ago.
The contractors remained hard at work until late evening.
Driving closer to the president’s household, there is not much activity on the yard except for one brown cow grazing on the vast piece of land.
Fourteen huge green water tanks can be counted, including four on the large vegetable garden that is the pride of Zuma’s first wife, Sizakele Khumalo.
A white double-cab bakkie is parked in the yard.
About four white containers, believed to be transit camps for construction workers, are situated outside the main perimeter.
The neighbours’ mud rondavels – a sharp contrast to the opulence of “Zumaville” – are a quick reminder that the area is just another rural village.
Women gather under trees after collecting piles of firewood, while cattle and goats roam around.
Young boys enjoying their school holidays, play-fight with sticks.
Most men from the area are sitting outside a local tuck shop which has a mini tavern.
Gathered around a full beer crate, they seem to have no care in the world.
Residents say that they see nothing wrong with the upgrade and also say that they have every reason to celebrate because it means more jobs and development in the area.
Instead of being vilified, Zuma should be lauded for not forsaking his rural homestead, say the residents.
Water
“We now have electricity and water in the area. We have a tar road, and most importantly, a police station. Did I mention that they’re going to be building a shopping centre in the area?” Nkululeko Shezi said.
All of these developments would not have been possible had it not been for Zuma, said the father of three, who insisted that the much-publicised revamp was much ado about nothing.
Shezi said he had heard that every former statesman was entitled to the same perks.
“Except for voting during the local government and national elections, I’m not really into politics and at times I don’t understand how these things work, but I do know that he [Zuma] didn’t break any law by refurbishing his house,” he said.
Although he’s currently employed, Shezi has never had a permanent job and is eagerly looking forward to the construction of the new multibillion-rand Nkandla Mlalazi Smart Growth Centre, to be built barely 3km away from Zuma’s home.
The centre will include modern residential units, a shopping mall, a college, banking facilities and other amenities.
Shezi couldn’t be happier about the development, saying not only will it provide residents in the impoverished community with much-needed facilities but also job opportunities.
“I’m almost certain that I will get a better or even a permanent job once the project gets under way,” he beams.
Vusi Zondi, a taxi driver, said the fact that Zuma was upgrading his complex indicated that he planned to come back and reside with “his people” after he retired from politics.
Referring to Zuma’s predecessor, Thabo Mbeki, Zondi said he was shocked to hear that he was still living in an urban area despite his term coming to an abrupt end four years ago.
“Mbeki is still living in Joburg long after he was dethroned by Zuma. Why doesn’t he go back to be with his people where he was born and raised? Does he even have a house in the Transkei where he was born?
“Mandela has gone back to be with his people in Qunu and I’m sure Zuma will do the same once his term in office is over.
“But we don’t want it [term] to end right now.
“We still need some more development in the area, like a hospital,” he said.