Tutu slams Nkandla, govt
2012-12-12 08:21
Johannesburg - Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has
criticised the expansion of President Jacob Zuma's home in Nklandla, it was
reported on Wednesday.
"Who in their right minds could have approved the
expenditure of more than R200m? And to do it in that area, where you have this
nice place standing up and just around there the squalor and poverty,"
said Tutu.
"What is the matter with us?"
The Star newspaper reported that Tutu was speaking at the
unveiling of a bench and tree in memory of struggle stalwart Kader Asmal at the
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens on Saturday.
A video of the event was shown to reporters on Tuesday.
He told National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel, who
attended the event: "You don't belong in this government."
Tutu expressed concern about the state of education, the
failure to deliver textbooks in Limpopo earlier this year and the recently
released results of the National Assessments, which showed that Grade 9 maths
pupils scored on average 13%.
"Trevor, you tell your boss this old man who said he
was retired, I am going to come back.
"You tell him that this old man is now going to pray
like he prayed for the Nats [the National Party, which enforced
apartheid]."
Zuma's private residence has recently been upgraded, at a
reported cost of R200m. The matter is currently being investigated by a public
works task team.
- SAPA
