Michael Zuma adds finger to corruption pie

Michael Zuma adds finger to corruption pie

South Africa November 2013

Omogolo Taunyane

File: Michael Zuma said he put in a good word with Free State Premier Ace Magashule to help Khumbula Property Services win the government tender to build RDP houses. Picture: eNCA
JOHANNESBURG – President Jacob Zuma’s younger brother has admitted to using his political connections to help a construction company win a tender to build RDP houses.

Michael Zuma said he put in a good word with Free State Premier Ace Magashule to help Khumbula Property Services win the government tender.

In an interview on The John Robbie Show on Talk Radio 702 on Monday morning, the younger Zuma said he was working for the company at the time and was promised a homestead instead of cash for the transaction.

There was an investigation done by the CIDB, and Khumbula was sanctioned a fine was imposed. They are currently not registered with the CIDB.
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He said the construction of his homestead was incomplete and found no fault in the deal as “he had to get the job”.

Zuma conceded his actions were dishonest and continued to say Magashula “was very good to me”.

The construction company owned by Thabo Ntshiqa, has been awarded more than a billion rands in government construction tenders, despite their reputation for failing to deliver.

The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB), which regulates and grades construction companies, imposed a R100,000 fine on the conspicuous company.

Programme manager for the Construction Register Services Ebrahim Moola said Khumbula submitted false documents in their registration and was therefore investigated.

“There was an investigation done by the CIDB, and Khumbula was sanctioned a fine was imposed. They are currently not registered with the CIDB,” said Moola.

Magashule's spokesperson Oupa Khoabane said they were not aware of the allegations and would try to get more information around it.

Meanwhile, social networks users have reacted with outrage at the building construction corruption.