Fiery Malema-led Nkandla showdown expected in parliament, Thursday

President Jacob Zuma's supporters may believe he has sidestepped public protector Thuli Madonsela in relation to the millions spent on his Nkandla homestead, but on Thursday he will have to face Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and other opposition leaders on the issue.

In his response to Madonsela's report, which he tabled in parliament this week, Zuma left it up to Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko, who serves in the cabinet at his pleasure, to decide how much he has to repay the state.

Zuma's stipulation of, among other things, "culture" that Nhleko would have to take into account when determining what Zuma should pay, caused a public uproar. Opposition parties slammed Zuma's response, and DA parliamentary leader Mmusi Maimane said it undermined Madonsela's findings.

"Not only does his response undermine the public protector's findings, but it is also an attempt by the president to act as both judge and jury on this matter," said Maimane.

In his response, Zuma continued to shift the blame for the R246-million spent on his Nkandla homestead away from him. He said although he received regular briefings from various ministers about security enhancements at the homestead, he was "not intimately involved with the finer details".

"At these briefings, I expressed concern with what appeared to be inordinately lengthy delays which impacted on my family. Equally, I found some of the security features, like the bulletproof windows, an excessive encroachment on my use and enjoyment of my property," said Zuma.

He insisted that the construction of new rondavels at the homestead was not paid for by taxpayers, saying the improvements were financed through a home loan, which he said he continued to service.

Zuma defended his decision to use Nkandla even though he has access to state houses in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban.

"Like most South Africans, I am particularly proud of my community and never miss an opportunity to go home to Nkandla ...

"But I do not shed my status as president when I am at home in Nkandla. People continually visit me, seek my advice, support and counsel on a whole range of matters," he said.

Zuma's response is likely to come under fire from opposition parties, who will be baying for his blood.

It will be the first time he answers oral questions in parliament this year. He is supposed to answer questions every quarter, but his office, and the parliamentary presiding officers whom the ANC deploys to their positions, claimed it was impossible to set mutually acceptable dates for oral questions to the president to take place in the first two quarters of this year - a claim met with derision by the opposition.

Last year, Zuma struggled with oral follow-up questions, especially from former DA parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko and Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota, on the Nkandla upgrades.

Sparks are expected to fly on Thursday. Malema will be leading the Nkandla charge with a question on Zuma's response to Madonsela's report. Malema will be afforded a follow-up question as well, and Maimane and Lekota are expected to also get their claws into Nkandla - the political gift that keeps on giving for the opposition.

Maimane will also weigh in with a question on the suspended national director of public prosecutions, Mxolisi Nxasana - which should give opposition parties an opportunity to open the hornet's nest in the National Prosecuting Authority.

• ANC MP Joanne Fubbs will ask a question about the economic impact of the National Development Plan; Hope Malgas (ANC) will ask about the recognition of Khoisan traditional leaders; Albert Mncwango (Inkatha Freedom Party) will ask its annual question on pardoning the party's members it considers to be political prisoners; and Nhlanhla Khubisa (National Freedom Party) will question Zuma on his recent visit to Washington. - Additional reporting by S'thembiso Msomi

joubertj@sundaytimes.co.za