Nkandla trial on track

Civil proceedings to recoup about R155 million from the architect of former president Jacob Zuma’s KwaZulu-Natal homestead, Nkandla, should get under way in the next few months following several delays.

Briefing parliament’s portfolio committee on justice yesterday, Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head Lekhoa Mothibi said the withdrawal of architect Minenhle Makhanya’s attorneys had meant they had to “almost start afresh with the new lawyers”.

The SIU instituted the civil litigation after it was announced by former public protector Thuli Madonsela that the upgrades to Nkandla were deemed not to be security-related.

Zuma was later ordered to pay back R7.8 million because the upgrades had unduly benefitted him and his family.

SIU legal counsel Gerhard Visagie told members of parliament that Makhanya’s new attorneys were now on board, meaning the trial could get under way in the next few months, barring any more delays.

“This matter has met with a number of what can only be called delaying tactics. The new attorneys are now on board. The case is well advanced,” said Visagie.

“We are at the stage now where pre-trial conferences are being held.

We anticipate that the civil claim should be set down within the next few months.” – ANA