Nkandla architect ordered to repay R147 million to National Treasury for unlawful conduct in Zuma residence upgrades

This amount represents the financial loss incurred by the Department of Public Works DPW due to unlawful conduct during the project. The judgment, delivered on August 26, 2026, found Makhanya's appointment and actions in the Nkandla upgrades to be unlawful, leading to significant financial loss for the State. The repayment will accrue interest at 11.25% per annum from the judgment date.

The Special Investigating Unit SIU initiated the investigation under Proclamation R59 of 2013 to probe procurement allegations and recover financial losses. The project's initial cost was estimated at R27.8 million but escalated to over R216 million. The Tribunal found that Makhanya's appointment was not preceded by a competitive bidding process, lacked lawful justification for bypassing procurement requirements, and he was not a registered supplier with DPW.

The SIU investigation revealed that Makhanya authorized works beyond the security measures identified by the South African Police Service and South African National Defence Force, including tunnels, accommodation units, and other facilities, totaling R68.5 million. He was found to have certified payments for unrequired structures, failed to obtain written approvals for variations, certified payments above market costs, and a