/ 31 March 2016

Zuma ‘notes and respects’ Concourt ruling on Nkandla

The Constitutional Court will decide early this year whether to hear and rule on the bid by the EFF to force Zuma to pay back the money spent on nonsecurity upgrades at Nkandla.
The Constitutional Court will decide early this year whether to hear and rule on the bid by the EFF to force Zuma to pay back the money spent on nonsecurity upgrades at Nkandla.

President Jacob Zuma has “noted and respects” the judgement handed down by the Constitutional Court and its findings relating to the Public Protector’s report on his Nkandla homestead, government said on Thursday.

The Constitutional Court found against Zuma, ruling that he breached the constitution when he failed to heed Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report on non security improvements to his private residence, and should reimburse the state an amount to be determined by National Treasury.

In a unanimous judgment read out by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, the court instructed treasury to determine an amount to be paid by Zuma within 60 days for luxuries added to his home in rural Nkandla.

  • Read the judgment here

The president thereafter has 45 days to personally pay the determined amount.

A terse statement released by the acting Cabinet spokeswoman, Phumla Williams, said: “The President appreciates and reaffirms the powers of the Constitutional Court as a final arbiter on matters of the Constitution in the Republic of South Africa.” 

Williams said the president would reflect on the judgement and its implications on the state and government, and would “in consultation with other impacted institutions of state determine the appropriate action”.

She said the president and South African government “remain confident that our constitutional democracy remains strong and intact and affirms the Chapter 9 institutions established to strengthen and support the country’s democracy”.

Williams said the government “will in due course communicate further on the matter”.