The Democratic Alliance (DA) said reports that the Department of Public Works is to  spend nearly R250 million on  Zuma’s private homestead in Nkandla point to a serious abuse of public funds.

DA Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said  reports also indicate Zuma will cover only 5% of this amount. “Government has done little to shed light on the details regarding the upgrade of President Zuma’s private home, and specifically how much money is being spent by the State,” she said.

She said the government has instead proffered weak excuses for sidestepping the issue. “Minister of Public Works Thulas Nxesi has used the National Key Point Act of 1980 as justification for his refusal to release details of the upgrade.”

The DA also lambasted the Executive Ethics Act, saying it contains loopholes which allow for abuse by the president.

The party will take immediate steps to eliminate the  loopholes.

“I will introduce a Private Members Bill with proposed amendments to the National Key Point Act of 1980,” Mazibuko said.

 Nxesi’s spokesman Sabelo Mali refused to comment.