The ANC used its majority in Parliament to adopt a report absolving Zuma of financial liability.

CAPE TOWN - The African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament has said President Jacob Zuma cannot be expected to pay for the 'fabricated costs of cheap and shoddy facilities' at Nkandla.

The chief whip's office said government officials and private contractors must be held accountable for looting public funds, not the president.

The ruling party on Tuesday used its majority in the National Assembly to adopt a report which absolves Zuma of financial liability for the R246 million project to upgrade his homestead in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal.

ANC's Moloto Mothapo said the president can't be expected to pay for the upgrades.

"The president, who no report found guilty of any unlawful or corrupt conduct in the entire prestige project, cannot be expected to pay."

During a debate in the house on Wednesday, the Congress of the People's Deidre Carter described the contentious report as a whitewash.

"We knew all along that the whole process was a sham."

Freedom Front Plus Member of Parliament (MP) Corné Mulder was equally critical.

"Do not for one moment expect to find justice or an honest answer about the truth with regards to Nkandla anywhere where the ANC has a majority."

Economic Freedom Fighters' (EFF) MPs refused to participate in the Parliamentary debate and walked out before the report was adopted.

DA TAKES NHLEKO'S REPORT TO COURT

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will be challenging Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko's Nkandla report in court after the ANC used its majority in the National Assembly to endorse Nhleko's findings.

The minister, unlike the Public Protector, found Zuma doesn't owe a cent for the upgrades to his private homestead.

In her report last year, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found Zuma benefited unduly from the non-security features which formed part of the R246 million project.

The DA's James Selfe urged ANC MPs on Tuesday to do the right thing and reject a report exonerating the president.

"When the history of Democratic South Africa is finally written, Nkandla will be at its low point; it represents everything that is bad and hollow and corrupt about South Africa."

The ANC again flexed its majority muscle by voting 198 to 93 for the adoption of the report.

DA leader Mmusi Maimane told the National Assembly his party is taking action.

"And that is a promise I make to the people of this country, that this ANC government has no moral authority to speak of and has bankrupt at best."

The party's announcement that it will file papers in the Western Cape High Court comes less two weeks after the EFF declared it would turn to the Constitutional Court in a bid to force the president to comply with the Public Protector's remedial action.

Meanwhile, the Special Investigating Unit is trying to recoup more than R155 million from Nkandla architect Minenhle Makhanya, in yet another court case arising from the scandal.