President Jacob Zuma's laughing off Nkandla in Parliament and Police Minister Nathi Nhleko's report into the saga are examples of corruption denialism, an alliance of eight labour unions and 29 civil society organisations said on Tuesday.

"South Africa is engulfed by an epidemic of corruption. Private companies and individuals are corrupting the fabric of South Africa. A war room to fight corruption is expected to be led by the president," it said in a statement.

"But instead it seems that corruption is now endemic in the office of the president, infects parts of the Cabinet and spreads throughout government, businesses, trade unions and NGOs. It must be stopped."

Denial about corruption by the ANC leadership was permitting the diversion of billions of rands from the delivery of services to the poor and into hands of the elite and was part of a pattern of abuse of power.

‘Undermining the Constitution’

"The defence of corruption is undermining our Constitution and the Chapter 9 institutions, particularly the Public Protector, who are supposed to protect it."

The first meeting of the alliance's members took place on Friday, at which it was resolved to approach all trade unions, business organisations, and faiths to help its fight against corruption.

It would organise "a massive march" to the Union Buildings and Parliament to coincide with the time Parliament's ad hoc committee report, on Nhleko's report, is presented to the National Assembly.

The alliance includes the Opposition to Urban Tolling Urban Alliance, Section27, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, and Zwelinzima Vavi, former general secretary of the Congress of SA Trade Unions.

Nhleko's report, released on May 28, absolved Zuma of any need to pay for the R246-million upgrade to his private Nkandla homestead.

He said all the features that were installed, like a swimming pool, amphitheatre, and cattle kraal, were necessary for security.

News24.com