Minenhle Makhanya ordered to repay R147 million over Nkandla upgrades

The Special Tribunal has ordered Minenhle Makhanya, the former principal agent for security upgrades at former President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence, to personally repay R147,269,444.06 to the National Treasury.

The ruling follows an application by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). The tribunal found that Makhanya’s appointment in 2009 was unlawful, as it bypassed competitive bidding processes and he was not registered as a supplier with the Department of Public Works.

While the project was initially approved for approximately R27.9 million based on security assessments by the South African Police Service and the South African National Defence Force, costs ballooned to over R216 million. The tribunal determined that Makhanya authorized R68.5 million in works that exceeded necessary security requirements, including tunnels with lifts, a fire pool, a visitors’ lounge, a laundry, and extensive landscaping.

Makhanya was also found to have approved payments above market rates and for unaccounted work. The judgment includes an annual interest rate of 11.25% until the debt is settled, and Makhanya has been ordered to cover the state’s legal costs.