Nkandla compound firepool controversy

The Nkandla compound in South Africa
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Jacob Zuma
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African National Congress uMkhonto weSizwe

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President of the African National Congress (2007–2017)
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At former South African President Jacob Zuma's Nkandla compound and private residence in South Africa, a swimming pool officially deemed to have a dual purpose as a "firepool" was constructed.[1] It was claimed that the pool was built as a security feature and security upgrade,[2][3] as a source of water for firefighting. A controversy surrounded the construction of the pool.

Official South African documents refer to the pool as a "fire pool", with the rationale that the pool can also serve as a water reservoir for firefighting.[4][5] However, press reports that the "fire pool" resembles a normal swimming pool[4] led to media outlets scrutinizing the controversial pool construction[5] as a part of "questionable security renovations".[1]

The public response regarding the fire pool was "public condemnation",[5] accusations of corruption and cronyism, plus the posting of sarcastic tweets on Twitter about the situation.[4] In a report titled "Secure in Comfort",[6] Public Protector Thuli Madonsela concluded that Zuma should repay some of the improvements costs, having "benefited unduly" from them.[4] However, Nkosinathi Nhleko, South Africa's Police Minister, said that Zuma was not liable for any reimbursements.[2]

On 31 March 2016 the Constitutional Court ruled that President Zuma violated the constitution when he failed to repay government money spent on his private home and it gave the treasury 60 days to determine how much he should repay.[7] On 1 April 2016 Zuma said "I respect the judgement and will abide by it".

In January 2024, at an address in Barberton, Mpumalanga, ahead of the ANC's 112th birthday celebrations ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula admitted that ANC MPs lied "in defence of our president [Zuma], we went to Parliament and opened an ad hoc committee and said a swimming pool is a fire pool.”[8][9]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Laing was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference News24-1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference businesstech1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Wordsworth was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Smith 2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Protector was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Thamm, Marianne (31 March 2016). "Nkandla ConCourt ruling: President Zuma and National Assembly in breach of Constitution". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 31 March 2016.
  8. ^ Madia, Tshidi. "ANC broke its back and defended Zuma in futility, says Mbalula". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  9. ^ Nemakonde, Vhahangwele (8 January 2024). "Mbalula's admission ANC lied about Zuma's Nkandla fire pool 'an insult to constitution'". The Citizen. Retrieved 8 January 2024.