Zuma ordered to pay back $500,000 of public funds

South Africa’s treasury has recommended President Jacob Zuma pay back $509,000 (£385,000) to the government for upgrades made to his private home. This comes after the country’s highest court ruled earlier this year that Mr Zuma repay some of the $23m of public funds spent on his house in 2009. The upgrades included an amphitheatre, […]

South Africa’s treasury has recommended President Jacob Zuma pay back $509,000 (£385,000) to the government for upgrades made to his private home.
This comes after the country’s highest court ruled earlier this year that Mr Zuma repay some of the $23m of public funds spent on his house in 2009.
The upgrades included an amphitheatre, pool, chicken run and cattle enclosure.
Mr Zuma must now repay the money – about 3% of the total spent – within 45 days.
The treasury says it hired two independent quantity surveyors to conduct separate investigations to come up with the figure.
The main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), one of the parties which brought the case, welcomed the treasury’s report but said it had hoped the figure would be higher.
“This sends out a clear message to those involved in corruption, especially those in the ANC, that you will be held accountable for your actions, even if you are the president,” DA spokesman Mabine Seabe was quoted as saying.