SA President Zuma to refund millions of dollars used for refurbishing his mansion

Looking at the controversial South African President, Jacob Zuma homestead in Nkandla on January 21, 2014. Then, January 11 2016, South African police arrested 30 people near the homestead after violent clashes with supporters of a newly formed party led by Julius Malema.

South African President Jacob Zuma has finally succumbed to public and opposition party pressure to pay taxpayers back some of the 24 million US Dollars he used to refurbish his grand estate Nkandla.

He has been under pressure since 2014, when the office of the Public Protector, a body in South Africa specially set up to investigate misconduct amongst and complaints against public officers in all state affairs. Zuma said “benefited unduly” from his private home upgrades.

They also stated that his conduct was “inconsistent with his office as a member of the cabinet”. It recommended he reimburse taxpayers for a “reasonable part” of the costs.

The home additions and improvements included a swimming pool (which was listed as a ‘fire-fighting facility), an amphitheater, visitors center and cattle and chicken areas.

At the beginning of parliament in 2015, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), Julius Malema‘s opposition party members were shouting “pay back the money!” during Zuma’s State of the Nation address and had to be carried out of the building.

After a hearing on the matter, the President told the country minister of finance to determine how he will refund the money.

Source: Financial Times