The ANC leadership is set for a showdown as the party's Gauteng chair‚ Paul Mashatile‚ become the highest-profile member to distance himself from police minister Nathi Nhleko's report on Nkandla.

The report found that the Nkandla swimming pool‚ visitors centre‚ cattle kraal and chicken run were all vital security features and that‚ contrary to the report of public protector‚ Thuli Madonsela‚ President Jacob Zuma did not have to pay back any money. He also said that the upgrade of the residence was incomplete and more money would have to be spent.

Mashatile said: “When the minister gave his report‚ he said something to the effect that more is going to be spent. I just want to say that is not the ANC position”.

Mashatile's comment draws a line between the party and the executive and throws down the gauntlett to the ANC leadership to make a decision about whether or not the party supports the report's recommendations.

His comments directly contradict those of the party's chief whip in Parliament‚ Stone Sizani. His office issued a statement on Nhleko's report saying: “We appreciate the Minister of Police’s elaborate report‚ with exceptional expert opinion‚ which went beyond the call by Public Protector’s recommendation”.