More than a decade after the controversial security upgrades at former president Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead sparked a national scandal, former project architect Minenhle Makhanya has been ordered to repay R147.2 million to the state.
The Special Investigating Unit said the Special Tribunal handed down judgment on Wednesday, 26 August, finding that Makhanya’s appointment and subsequent conduct as architect and principal agent for the project were unlawful and resulted in significant financial losses to the state.
Makhanya was ordered to pay R147,269,444.06 to the National Treasury, representing losses suffered by the Department of Public Works as a result of unlawful conduct linked to the project.
“The judgment, delivered on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, found that Makhanya’s appointment and subsequent conduct in the Nkandla upgrades were unlawful and resulted in significant financial loss to the State,” the SIU said.
From R27.9 million to more than R216 million
The Nkandla project was initially estimated to cost R27,893,067.46 after SAPS and the SANDF conducted security assessments following Zuma’s election as president in 2009.
Zuma, as head of state, was entitled to state-funded security and protection for himself, his family and his private residence.
However, according to the SIU, the project eventually ballooned to more than R216 million.
The Special Tribunal found that Makhanya’s appointment had not been preceded by a competitive bidding or open tender process and that there was no lawful justification for bypassing procurement requirements.
The SIU investigation further found that works and improvements were implemented beyond the security measures identified by SAPS and the SANDF.
The upgrades included additional accommodation for security personnel, a laundry facility, visitors’ facilities, basement and VIP parking, internal roads, air-conditioning, landscaping and other structures and services.
According to the SIU, these additional works contributed to massive cost escalations and resulted in the Department of Public Works suffering substantial financial losses.
Tribunal says Makhanya did not act alone
While the tribunal found Makhanya liable, Judge K. Pillay said the architect was not the only person involved in the events that allowed the costs of the project to spiral.
“It is regrettable that the first defendant stands alone as the person against whom the Special Investigating Unit has launched action, as he clearly did not act alone in allowing the costs of the upgrade at Nkandla to balloon,” Judge Pillay said.
However, the judge said Makhanya, as architect and principal agent, had a responsibility to prevent fruitless and wasteful expenditure.
“As architect and principal agent, he bore the responsibility to ensure that the second defendant did not incur fruitless and wasteful expenditure,” the judgment stated.
The tribunal also rejected Makhanya’s defences, including his argument that he had acted within his authority by implementing instructions and decisions of the SAPS and SANDF.
His arguments relating to prescription and the alleged time-barring of the claims were also rejected.
Long-running Nkandla scandal
The Nkandla upgrades became one of the most controversial political scandals of Zuma’s presidency, attracting investigations by the Public Protector, government task teams and the SIU.
The controversy centred on whether public money had been spent on features that went beyond legitimate security requirements and whether proper procurement procedures had been followed.
The SIU’s investigation was authorised through Proclamation R59 of 2013 and was tasked with probing allegations that the procurement of goods, works and services for the project had not been fair, equitable, transparent, competitive or cost-effective.
The unit was also mandated to recover financial losses suffered by the state as a result of unlawful conduct.
Zuma’s R7.8 million repayment deducted
The SIU said the total claim against Makhanya was reduced by R7.8 million after accepting a submission relating to money Zuma had previously repaid as a contribution towards non-security-related upgrades.
That amount will be deducted from the total deemed just and equitable for repayment by the tribunal.
Makhanya was also ordered to pay the costs of the legal proceedings, including the costs of two counsel.
The SIU said the judgment formed part of its broader efforts to recover public funds and strengthen consequence management in the public sector.
“In line with the Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996, the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action,” the unit said.
The ruling marks one of the most significant consequences arising from the long-running Nkandla saga, with the architect who oversaw the controversial project now facing a R147 million repayment order to the state.
