Photo by: Reuters
The board of corruption watchdog Corruption Watch (CW) has called on the President and Cabinet to assume collective responsibility for the misuse of public funds in the upgrade of President Jacob Zuma’s private home in Nkandla.
CW chairperson Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane said those tasked with the moral function of coordinating the spending of public resources had to admit that they had failed to act in the public interest. "President Zuma and Cabinet would be amiss to treat the report with indifference. They should not deceive themselves and think they can wash their hands of this issue,” he stated.
The board has welcomed the report by Public Protector Thuli Mandonsela, but it noted that the misuse of public funds and flouting of procurement process as documented in the report were "repugnant". CW joined the loud public outcry over the overt abuse of power and misuse of public resources confirmed in the report titled 'Secure in comfort'.
CW reaffirmed its support for the Office of the Public Protector and other institutions such as the Office of the Auditor-General, that strengthened South Africa’s constitutional democracy and promoted accountability in the administration of public resources.