President Jacob Zuma will not have to pay back any money towards the R246m tax-payer funded security upgrades to his home in Nkandla, Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko said on Thursday.

In a live broadcast, he said that the “firepool”, the new cattle kraal, chicken coop and culvert, as well as the ampitheatre and visitors centre were all found to be necessary for the safety and security of the homestead.

He said that Zuma is still head of state, “even if he is at home”.

The pool could be used to douse a fire, the cattle and goat kraal and chicken coop kept the animals away from the central security zone and so they did not set off the alarms or beams, the ampitheatre served as an emergency assembly point and protected the soil substrate and a road that ran near it.

“It provides a clear vision of the yard…it prevents people falling and maiming,” said Nhleko.

The visitors’ centre was also necessary as Zuma hosted visitors and needed privacy.

“Accordingly the State President is therefore not liable to pay for any of the security features.”

This was contrary to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on the upgrades which found that he had to pay back a portion of the money.

Nhleko said that in fact, they found that more improvements are needed for the fire safety aspects and recommended a range of additional measures in that aspect. News24