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10 Absurd Nkandla Upgrades President Zuma Made With State Money

10 Absurd Nkandla Upgrades President Zuma Made With State Money

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When it came to light in late 2013 that South African President Jacob Zuma may have inappropriately used state funds for home improvements, citizens were angry, and demanded answers. A watchdog agency delved further into the controversy, and found that nearly $23 million of improvements were made to his home in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal Province in order to “enhance presidential security” (the original estimate for the project was $6 million). The majority of these funds were diverted from the Department of Public Works, originally set aside for inner-city regeneration projects and critical service delivery programs. Here’s a sampling of 10 absurd Nkandla upgrades President Zuma made to his home with state money in the name of security.

For perspective, President Nelson Mandela made approximately $3 million of security improvements using state funds and President F.W. President de Klerk used a little more than $22,000.

Sources: NYTimes.com, WashingtonPost.com, Reuters.com, BDLive.co.za

The presidential complex GlobalPost.com
The presidential complex
GlobalPost.com

Swimming pool

The pool added to Zuma’s home was intended to provide a source for “fire emergencies,” providing a water reservoir for fire fighting equipment.

Reuters.com
Reuters.com

Visitor center

The visitor center was proposed to create a space for the public in the presidential home, allowing them to visit the residence. It is unclear if any outside visitors will actually be allowed on the property.

A look at previous presidential spending on security upgrades MG.co.za
A look at previous presidential spending on security upgrades
MG.co.za

Cattle kraal

A cattle kraal, or enclosure, was added to the Zuma property, complete with culvert to bring water to the animals and surrounding area.

MG.co.za
MG.co.za

Amphitheater

A private amphitheater was constructed on the residence, ostensibly for private performances for the president and his family.

*Not an actual picture from the Zuma residence, but still funny Flickr.com User Natalie - BeadMonki
*Not an actual picture from the Zuma residence, but still funny
Flickr.com
User Natalie – BeadMonki

Chicken coop

Another security measure? Guard chickens seem to stretch even the most imaginative imagination.

AtlantaAgent.net
AtlantaAgent.net

Relocated neighbors

The improvements included all the neighbors in the surrounding area being relocated on the grounds they posed a security threat by being in close proximity to the president. The relocation cost upwards of $750,000.

En.Wikipedia.org
En.Wikipedia.org

Marquee area

Because otherwise the amphitheater would just look shabby.

TheStar.com
TheStar.com

Medical clinic

Rather than place the clinic in a nearby village desperately in need of another medical clinic, Zuma had the clinic built on his property for use by his family and team.

TimesLIve.co.za
TimesLIve.co.za

Two helipads

Again, the neighboring medical facility could have greatly benefited from two helipads to transport critical patients, but the funds were diverted to build the pads on the Zuma residence instead.

Framework.LATimes.com
Framework.LATimes.com

20 houses for police staff quarters

Rather than incorporating the permanent and expensive police staff quarters into a centralized police station for the community, 20 houses were built on the Zuma property instead.