Anatomy of a cover-up

2013
November 8 Four Cabinet ministers rush to court to prevent other parties from accessing Public Protector Thuli Madonselas report on Nkandla. They argue that Zumas security could be jeopardised should other parties access the report January 27 Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi tells the media that taxpayers money was used only for security upgrades at Nkandla. He also says President Jacob Zuma didnt know anything about the upgrades at his private home In the days that follow, City Press reveals that taxpayers also picked up the tab for an access road to the residence, a tuck shop for First Lady Sizakele Khumalo and a cattle culvert City Press also publishes a letter that proves Zuma knew about the upgrades and had been kept updated by former public works minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde throughout the process June 20 Nxesi tells Parliament that State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele has classied as top secret the task team report that he commissioned to probe spending at Nkandla. This means the report cant be discussed in Parliament July 1 Cwele denies ever classifying the report. To this day, the document hasnt been released in full to the public October 16 Catherine Mabuza, chairperson of Parliaments public works portfolio committee, blocks a National Assembly discussion about Nkandla The discussion started after Public Works DirectorGeneral Mziwonke Dlabantu presented the departments 2012/13 annual report but Mabuza says the issue of Nkandla will be discussed in due course