Blade the zero for divisive talk

The cost to taxpayers of the Nkandla security upgrades is one that has outraged many South Africans. Citizens continue to seek answers from the ANC and President Jacob Zuma on the issue and are eager to see what the consequences would be for those found guilty of allowing the misuse of public funds.

This week, Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande, instead of showing leadership by offering the answers sought by the public, reportedly used a public platform to dismiss the Nkandla issue as “white people’s lies”, referring to ownership of the media in South Africa. For this utterance – which does little for the credibility of the media and restoring citizens’ faith in their government – we make him the zero of the week. "White people’s lies” trended as a topic on Twitter, following his speech, which was first reported by the SABC.

Nkandla has been more than a contentious issue since Public Protector Thuli Madonsela revealed the findings of her investigation in March. Her report, although not outlining clear corruption on the part of President Jacob Zuma, points towards an unwarranted benefit for himself and his family at the expense of taxpayers. The issue is arguably the most divisive to hit post-apartheid South Africa and has spurred several organisations, like the Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa, to publicly oppose the presidential candidacy nomination of Zuma by the ANC.

National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu has announced that an ad hoc committee would be established in Parliament to deliberate Madonsela’s report. As much as R246-million was spent since the construction began in 2009, a much higher cost than the R64-million originally reported in the same by the Mail & Guardian.