Zuma ordered to pay for his home renovations

Kevin Malunga (left), deputy public protector, celebrates with South African opposition party Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane following the ruling of the judgment the matter of Democratic Alliance vs. Speaker of the National Assembly and others at the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg on March 31, 2016. South Africa's top court delivered a damning verdict against President Jacob Zuma, saying he flouted the constitution over public funds used to upgrade his private residence. PHOTO | AFP

What you need to know:

  • South African court ruled President Jacob Zuma has to pay for the construction of a visitor’s centre‚ amphitheatre‚ cattle kraal‚ chicken run and swimming pool at his Nkandla residence.
  • National Treasury has 60 days to determine a reasonable amount to be paid by the beleaguered leader.
  • President Zuma had previously refused to pay back the money.

PRETORIA, Thursday

South African President Jacob Zuma has been ordered to pay back some of the public funds used to refurbish his private home.

The President, the court ruled, has to pay for the construction of a visitor’s centre‚ amphitheatre‚ cattle kraal‚ chicken run and swimming pool at his Nkandla residence.

The Constitutional Court on Thursday found that President Zuma failed to uphold, defend and respect the supreme law of the land. The work was valued in 2014 at 216 million rand (then $24 million, Ksh2.4bn).

National Treasury has 60 days to determine a reasonable amount to be paid by the beleaguered leader. He will then have 45 days to pay the final amount.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng issued the final orders in his conclusion of the judgement, saying remedial action was binding and the President’s compliance was not optional.

“No binding and constitutionally or statutory liaisons decision may be disregarded ‘willy-nilly’.”

He said President Zuma was entitled to inquire into the correctness of those aspects of the report he disagreed with.

The controversial homestead of South African President Jacob Zuma in Nkandla. South Africa's public ombudsman said on March 19, 2014 that some of the $23 million taxpayer-funded refurbishments at President Jacob Zuma's luxurious residence were unlawful and ordered him to repay part of the cost. PHOTO | AFP

“All the president was required to do was to comply, even if he had reason to doubt its correctness.” Justice Mogoeng said the Public Protector’s office was meant to shield the public from any conduct in state affairs that could result in any impropriety or prejudice.

He said it was one of the most invaluable constitutional gifts to the country’s war against corruption.

CONSTITUTIONAL DEMOCRACY

Referring to the Public Protector, Ms Thuli Madonsela, Justice Mogoeng said: “She is the embodiment of the biblical David who fights the most powerful and well-resourced Goliath‚ that impropriety and corruption by government officials are.” The judge said Thursday’s ruling dealt with issues of great importance to South Africans and the well-being of the country’s constitutional democracy.

Judges took just over a month to weigh up arguments from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the Democratic Alliance (DA), the National Assembly Speaker and Ms Madonsela.

President Zuma had previously refused to pay back the money, saying Ms Madonsela’s orders, which she made in her report entitled; Secure in Comfort, two years ago, were mere recommendations. The court also lambasted the National Assembly for supporting President Zuma against complying with the public protector’s remedial action.

That came after Police minister Nathi Nhleko compiled a report finding that the President did not owe a cent.

Justice Mogoeng said the resolution was inconsistent with the constitution and invalid.

Meanwhile, the DA today launched a bid to impeach President Zuma. “Today’s ruling is clear in this regard: President Jacob Zuma’s action amounts to a serious violation of the constitution, and constitutes grounds for impeachment,” the Democratic Alliance party said in a statement.