A task team report commissioned by him found no evidence that public money was spent on Zuma’s private home there. We find that difficult to believe and must assume that Nxesi is playing with words, taking South Africans for fools.

After all, he did disclose that the government spent R206 million on security upgrades and consultants for the project, including R135 million for “operational needs” that are yet to be explained.

He said, “security upgrades done at the Nkandla residence amount to R71 212 621.78, including consultancy fees”. That’s more than 70 times the R100 000 allowed in the Ministerial Handbook.

Somehow, well over R200 million of taxpayers’ money has indeed been spent on Nkandla, but magically none of it on Zuma’s homestead.

The public will not accept that R135 million can simply be brushed aside as “operational needs”. What qualifies as an operational need? The tuckshop? The clinic for the exclusive use of his family? The cattle grids?

Bear in mind that Zuma has the full use of three luxury state mansions in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban. The Nkandla project is a personal indulgence that taxpayers should not have to pay for.

Nxesi tried to deflect some heat by acknowledging irregularities in the appointment of service providers.

These will be referred to the  Special Investigation Unit (SIU), whose leadership Zuma has kept vacant for more than a year.

Fortunately Nxesi does not have the last word. Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and Auditor-General Terence Nombembe must still conclude their reports, which we trust will not be whitewash attempts.