South Africa’s President Zuma Ordered To Pay Back Government Money

The South African Constitutional Court ruled today that President Jacob Zuma’s refusal to repay the government money he spent on his private home violated the constitution, this according to Eyewitness News. The treasury has now been granted 60 days to determine the amount to be paid. The action was sparked by the Public Protector, Advocate Thulisile Madonsela’s 2014 report in which she found that Zuma had unduly benefited from upgrades to his home from funds that were assigned to the upgrading of security at his Nkandla residence, instead, millions were spent on additional features such as a cattle kraal, amphitheater and visitors center.

The ruling comes as a victory for the Democratic Alliance (DA), who said they intend pushing for President Jacob Zuma’s impeachment, and for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), led by Julius Malema, who called on President Zuma to step down, accusing him of using “ill-gotten wealth” to upgrade his private Nkandla residence.

A government statement said Zuma would “reflect” on the judgement and take “appropriate action.”

A spokeswoman for the governing African National Congress (ANC) said the party’s top six officials, who include Mr. Zuma and his deputy Cyril Ramaphosa, would meet to discuss the implications of the ruling, Reuters reports.

In the ruling, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng stated that Zuma had “unduly benefited” from the renovations and should pay back a portion of the money. His earlier refusal to pay back the money was deemed inconsistent with the constitution.

‘The president failed to uphold, defend and respect the constitution,’ he said. He also stated that public officials who ignore the constitution do so at their own risk, as the rule of law was the ‘sharp and mighty sword that stands ready to chop the ugly head of impunity from its stiffened neck.”

The Deputy Public Protector, Kevin Malunga, representing Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, discussed the judgment.

‘This is a great day for the Public Protector as an institution, but it is also a great day for South Africa…I have always said the public protector has teeth and they are not false teeth, in other words we are a watch dog, and we take everything seriously as we do our work.”

He went on to describe Ms. Madonsela as a “constitutional gift” to South Africa and “the embodiment of a Biblical David […] who fights the most powerful and very well-resourced Goliath that impropriety and corruption by government officials are.”

According to the judgement, President Zuma has been ordered to pay for the swimming pool, amphitheater, visitor center, cattle enclosure and chicken run.

“This morning we have already filed a motion to say Zuma must be impeached because he is unfit, and it is quite clear that the court’s judgment vindicates our decision,” said DA leader Mmusi Maimane in regard to the unanimous ruling.

Julius Malema of the EFF said that President Zuma should step down immediately.

“Zuma’s journey ends here… Zuma’s case ends here. Anyone who wants to question this matter any further would be questioning the court.”

The ANC issued a statement to the effect that it would abide by the judgment handed down, and would issue a more detailed statement after scrutinizing it.

“We will therefore duly study the judgment, including a proper dissection and comprehension on its far-reaching implications on how Parliament conducts its constitutional function in future, in the interim, we accept without reservations the orders made in the judgment, particularly as they relate to Parliament, and therefore we will ensure they are fully realised,” spokesperson Moloto Mothapo said in a statement.

The ruling against President Zuma is good news for South Africans, showing the intent and capability of the Constitutional Court to uphold their constitutional rights and not bow down to the political powers that be

(Photo by Jackie Clausen/Sunday Times/Gallo Images/Getty Images)