South African gov’t buys President’s wives cars worth Ksh 55M

President Jacob Zuma is on the receiving end after reports emerged that his government spend Ksh 55 million to buy cars for his four wives.

The South African police force is said to have bought 11 vehicles for President Zuma’s wives in the past three years using money that had been allocated to them in the country’s budget.

Responding to questions from the opposition, Police Minister Nathi Nhleko said the police bought four Range Rovers worth Ksh 24 million in 2013, two Land Rover Discovery worth Ksh 8 million in 2014, two Audi Q7s bought in March this year for Ksh 8 million and three Audi A6s, also bought in March this year, for Ksh 15 million.

Mr Nhleko is reported to have defended the decision to purchase the cars saying it is in line with their role to provide comprehensive protection to VIP spouses.

The announcement is set to elicit sharp criticism from the public coming just month after the president survived an impeachment vote in parliament over allegations of corruption.

The impeachment motion was raised after the constitutional court ruled that Zuma breached the constitution by ignoring an order to repay some of the USD16 million in state funds spent on his private home.

Zuma’s woes intensified last month, after a Pretoria High Court ordered a review of a 2009 decision by the National Prosecuting Authority to set aside hundreds of charges against Zuma, terming it “irrational”.

@benjaminwafula