South Africa: President Zuma denies dishonesty over spending scandal

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma has denied acting dishonestly in a scandal over public funds spent on renovations at his private home. But he has promised to obey an order to repay some of the money.

A court ruled this week that he had failed to uphold the constitution by ignoring instructions to pay back some of the 14 million euros spent at his Nkandla residence.

“I welcome the judgement of the Constitutional Court unreservedly. The judgement has underscored the values that underpin our hard-won freedom and democracy,” President Zuma said in a televised address to the nation on Friday evening.

A report in 2014 found that expenses that went towards a swimming pool, cattle enclosure, chicken run, amphitheatre and visitor centre were not related to security and that Zuma should pay for them.

Early estimates suggest he may have to pay about 600,000 euros.

Opposition parties who have been calling on the 73-year-old to resign have dismissed his remarks.

“The president is misleading South Africa. He said repeatedly he always wanted to pay. He never wanted to pay,” said Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane after the address.

Analysts were also unimpressed, one describing the intervention as a “gutless whitewash”.

The opposition has launched impeachment proceedings against Zuma but they are unlikely to be successful because of the ANC’s strong majority in parliament.

-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-04-02

don't trust a man whose jowls are wider than his cranium

don't trust a man whose jowls are wider than his cranium

Don't be too harsh on him, his shoes size is bigger than his IQ

Everyone knew he was a crook when he became president.

Why is there so much crime on the streets in SA ? Look up at the top, it's Thailand in black

"... the judgement has underscored the values that underpin our hard-won freedom and democracy,” President Zuma said. ​

Why then, did he obfuscate previous requests and findings by twisting and turning, denials and broken promises ?

Disgusting man.

"... the judgement has underscored the values that underpin our hard-won freedom and democracy,” President Zuma said. ​

Why then, did he obfuscate previous requests and findings by twisting and turning, denials and broken promises ?

Disgusting man.

You can scour the world and you will not find one politician with clean hands. I think you will find that recently deceased ruler of Singapore to be the odd exception.

I must take my hat off to the court. Not many courts in the world (Western included) would find a sitting president guilty.

Zuma is a corrupt, venal, despicable little man, who, through political machinations, has evaded and avoided conviction of various crimes, until now. Despite his repeated sophistry and denials , he has finally been brought to book over one particular matter. Although there were prior misgivings as to whether they would bring the necessary moral courage to bear in this issue, the Constitutional Court has commendably stepped up to the plate.

The ruling party, the ANC, together with Zuma, believe that South Africa is their personal fiefdom, to loot and pillage as they see fit by riding on the backs of the poor and dispossessed of the country who brought them to power.

South Africa is more unequal now than ever before. Zuma and the top echelon seem to have made it their personal mission to become embarrassingly rich, no matter what cost to the country. Absolute power corrupts absolutely!

For anyone who is concerned about the present state of affairs in South Africa, and what the future holds, I would commend "How long will South Africa survive - the looming crisis", by RW Johnson, for interesting reading.

President Zuma is a disgrace, and has betrayed and brought shame upon all of the peoples of the country, black and white, no matter what their political allegiance. He should resign forthwith and not try to convince us that by saying "sorry" he has somehow redeemed himself.

I must take my hat off to the court. Not many courts in the world (Western included) would find a sitting president guilty.

Thailand comes close.