Photo by: Reuters
President Jacob Zuma said he did not back track on paying back the money for Nkandla, but rather waited for parliamentary processes to decide on how to act.
Zuma was speaking on Friday at the post State of the Nation discussion at the The New Age Business brief in Cape Town.
“I do not think there was a change in my view with this matter. The public protector report said there was nothing wrong. But she did say there was a few items she had a view of that did not qualify as security elements and felt the President and family need to pay back a reasonable amount. She did not say how much.
“She then said the Minister of Police and Minister of Finance must determine what needs to be paid.”
Zuma added that determination has not yet been made.
“There are many times when I asked how much I must pay back, but no one knows. There was a political perception I am not going to pay. Paying that money is not admitting anything wrong.
“There was a thorough investigation into this matter. People need to respect that.”
The president delivered his annual address to the nation on Thursday evening, to the heckling and subsequent walk-out or Economic Freedom Fighters and also Congress of the People members.