President Jacob Zuma ordered by South African court to repay public funds use to upgrade his private home

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma

South Africa’s Constitutional Court has ordered President Jacob Zuma to repay sum of $16 million public funds used for upgrades at his private home. 

The ruling on Thursday comes as authorities investigate Zuma for another more recent scandal, alleged undue influence given to the wealthy Gupta family.

Handing down the Constitutional Court judgment on Thursday, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said President Zuma violated the constitution when he ignored the public protector’s order to pay back some of the money used to build non-security features at his private home.

“The failure by the President to comply with remedial action taken against him by the public protector in her report of 19 March 2014 is inconsistent with Section 83 (b) of the constitution and is invalid,” Mogoeng said.

The court gave the National Treasury 60 days to determine how much Zuma should pay.  Mogoeng said once the court receives the Treasury’s report, Zuma will have to pay.