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  • keyboard_arrow_rightFrom R28m to R216m: How unlawful Nkandla Homestead upgrades left architect with R147m bill

From R28m to R216m: How unlawful Nkandla Homestead upgrades left architect with R147m bill

By Zuko Komisa

Image | Nkandla Homestead/ File
  • The Special Tribunal has instructed former Nkandla principal architect Minenhle Makhanya to pay the National Treasury R147.27 million for financial losses incurred during security upgrades.
  • Makhanya’s appointment was ruled illegal, with findings that he routinely authorised inflated costs and non-essential work far exceeding official security assessments.
  • The final liability excludes R7.8 million previously reimbursed by former President Jacob Zuma, with evidence of potential criminal conduct referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.

The Special Tribunal has ordered former Nkandla project architect Minenhle Makhanya to pay the National Treasury R147.27 million following extensive losses tied to controversial upgrades at former President Jacob Zuma’s private homestead.

Delivered on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, the judgment concluded that Makhanya’s original appointment was illegal and that his actions directly caused substantial financial damage to the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI).

Authorised under Proclamation R59 of 2013, a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe revealed that DPWI initially budgeted R27.89 million based on official police and military security evaluations. However, after Makhanya was appointed without an open tender or emergency justification, project costs escalated to R216.01 million.

Makhanya authorised R68.5 million in non-security amenities including subterranean tunnels, lifts, extra housing units, a laundry, a visitors’ lounge, and a fire pool and certified R54.83 million in payments to contractors without proper oversight.

Commenting on the ruling, the Special Investigating Unit released an official statement outlining the broader context of the order:

“The judgment forms part of the SIU’s broader efforts to implement investigation outcomes, recover public money lost through corruption and maladministration, and strengthen consequence management across the public sector.”

The Tribunal determined that Makhanya breached statutory, professional, and contractual rules governing architects, rejecting his defence that he was merely executing instructions from security forces.

While Judge K. Pillay noted it was “regrettable” that Makhanya stood alone as a defendant when he “clearly did not act alone”, the tribunal maintained that his principal position required him to prevent wasteful expenditure. Consequently, his original contract was declared invalid, and he was ordered to cover legal fees for two counsel.

The total liability factors in a R7.8 million reduction to reflect funds previously repaid by Zuma for non security additions.

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