The President of South Africa, Mr Jacob Zuma has welcomed the court judgement which directed him to refund part of the money spent on upgrading his home in Nkandla, expressing readiness to pay back the money spent on non-security related upgrades at the house.
Zuma, in a televised address to the nation on Friday, urged “all parties to respect the judgement and will abide by it” stressing that the judgment should be used to further strengthen the country’s democracy.
South Africa’s top court ruled on Thursday that President Zuma flouted the constitution when he used $15m state funds to renovate his private home and ordered a refund.
The eleven justices of the country’s Constitutional Court had unanimously held that the President should reimburse some of the amount spent on the renovations as will be determined by the national treasury.
Opposition parties had filed two cases in the court, alleging misuse of public funds over the hefty price tag.
In his response to the judgment, Zuma apologised for any inconvenience that the prolonged matter might have caused his people, saying, “The matter has caused a lot of frustration and confusion, for which I apologise, on my behalf and on behalf of government.”
The President’s address as reported on News24 read in part, “Yesterday, the Constitutional Court of the Republic, playing this crucial role, issued a judgement on the matter of security upgrades at my private residence in Nkandla.
“I welcome the judgement of the Constitutional Court unreservedly.
“The judgement has underscored the values that underpin our hard- won freedom and democracy, such as the rule of law and the accountability of public office bearers, while also respecting the rights of public office bearers facing scrutiny.
“The judgement has further strengthened our constitutional democracy and should make South Africans proud of their country’s Constitution and its strong and effective institutions.
“This is a ground-breaking judgement with regards to the powers of the Public Protector.
“I have consistently stated that I would pay an amount towards the Nkandla non-security upgrades once this had been determined by the correct authority. The Court has ruled on the matter and has devised a mechanism for such determination by the National Treasury.
“I wish to emphasise that I never knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the Republic.”
While however denying any involvement in corrupt practice, Zuma said, “The intention was not in pursuit of corrupt ends or to use state resources to unduly benefit me and my family. Hence I have agreed to pay for the identified items once a determination is made.”
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