Wife budget doubled for President Jacob Zuma
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.South Africa's opposition leader was yesterday accused of "cultural chauvinism" after she criticised the cost to the state of President Jacob Zuma's three wives.
The presidency had earlier revealed that the 2009-10 budget for Mr Zuma's spousal office amounts to R15.5m (£1.4m), compared with R8m in 2008 when Thabo Mbeki was President.
Newspapers pointed out that the total budgeted for Mr Zuma's three wives is less, per wife, than the amount which was set aside for Mr Mbeki's wife, Zanele. But Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille said the amount was "exorbitant".
"It is impossible for anyone, even on a president's salary, to look after a family the size of Zuma's without relying extensively on private benefactors and the taxpayers' money. This makes corruption almost inevitable," she said.
Mr Zuma married for the fifth time in January. On Monday Mr Zuma's office submitted the President's declaration of interests and gifts to parliament, including his wives' stakes in various companies and information about his second wife, who lives in an eight-bedroom Durban home with the rent paid by two businessmen.
South African newspapers revealed in January that Mr Zuma fathered a child last August with the daughter of Irvin Khoza, the chairman of an organising committee for the 2010 World Cup. To clear up confusion over Mr Zuma's offspring, presidency spokesman Vusi Mona said he had 10 children under the age of 18, and another 10 adult children.
African National Congress chief whip Mathole Motshekga yesterday said the opposition leader's criticism was unwarranted. "Zille's criticism of the size of the President's family and that it costs the state 'exorbitantly' is distasteful and demonstrates cultural intolerance of the worst kind," he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments