JZ's lips are moving but...

So, Jacob Zuma believes he is being targeted for building his father's house ("JZ: I've done nothing wrong", yesterday).

This is a man who, whether we like it or not, has to be taken seriously because he is the head of state. He clearly sees nothing wrong in the Nkandla upgrades and even has the audacity to say "investigations have been done and they found nothing against me".

No one is begrudging him for having a big family and the state should rightly pay to accommodate his family. The problem, Mr Zuma, is that things that are not part of your security have been built at state expense and bills have been inflated up to 20 times in some instances.

You, my leader, have failed this country and its ambitions. If you can't see corruption happening in your own back yard, I am afraid you are not fit and proper to occupy the office of President of the Republic of South Africa.

Securocrats and loyalists can and will defend you for now, but I am a firm believer in the saying that "History is the best judge". No one is targeting you; the only thing the country wants is a leader who is exemplary and puts the nation's interests ahead of his own, something you have failed to do since May 2009 when you took the oath of office.

Kiekie Mboweni, Nkowankowa

Zuma, be a man and not a yellow-bellied coward. Ask for forgiveness for yourself and your cronies for depriving the poor with your pillaging. You may all gain back some respect.

Gabby, by SMS

Does Zuma really think any right-thinking person believes him? He appointed his own architect to ensure his wishes were seen to, no matter the cost.

Concerned taxpayer, by SMS

Well, didn't we just know our president would worm out of the Nkandla report. The Gupta saga disappeared off the radar and we can bet this will as well, with his coterie of yes-men saying it is a non-issue. It is sickening, to say the least.

How could the president of the country not know what was going on? That is what I have issue with. How can you run a country and yet not know what costs are taking place at your homestead?

How do you not ask questions every time you go to Nkandla and put a stop to the excesses immediately. But Zuma didn't do this because he liked what he saw, knowing that when he retires he will have a compound fit for a king.

Barbie Sandler, by e-mail

I find it amusing that the ruling party has written on billboards that, to preserve Madiba's legacy, we should vote for the ANC.

What does it see as Madiba's legacy? The high unemployment rate? Maybe it's the fact that if you are well connected you can use an air base as a personal airport. Is it the crime rate? Or could it be the spending of millions to upgrade the president's private residence?

Anyway, given the fact that the majority of the electorate still views the ANC as its saviour, the ANC will unfortunately win the elections.

Even if anyone speaks out against the mismanagement of our country nothing is done. The ruling party will not even listen to our public protector.

Instead of referring to our system of government as a democracy, we should rather refer to it as an oligarchy or kleptocracy.

Or rather an "idiocracy", if people continue voting for the ANC.

Siya Mkhize, by e-mail

JZ, you have the gall to criticise Western Cape for neglecting the poor, but how many RDP homes could have been built with the R246-million spent on your compound?

Mike, Strubens Valley