Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson says the South African government is not responsible for maintaining Jacob Zuma’s privately owned Nkandla residence. In statements reported by IOL, Macpherson rejects claims that the State failed to maintain the property, adding that government responsibility is limited to security-related installations at the site. The dispute centres on whether public funds and State obligations extend beyond security measures to ordinary maintenance of the residence. Macpherson’s position is that only security infrastructure installed for protection falls under government duties, while upkeep of private property remains with the owner. IOL reports that the minister specifically points to this distinction to counter allegations that the State neglected maintenance obligations. The claims also reference the reported value of the Nkandla residence at R246 million. Across the coverage provided, the central message is consistent: Macpherson maintains that any State involvement is confined to security-related aspects of Nkandla rather than the maintenance of the private dwelling itself.