| Jacob Zuma |
South African President Jacob
Zuma said Friday he'll abide by this week's Constitutional Court ruling
that he broke the law by using $15 million in state funds to upgrade his
private home. Zuma called the ruling ground-breaking and said he respects it
without reservations.
"The judgment underscores
the values that underpin our hard-won democracy," Zuma said, while still
insisting he didn't act dishonestly.
The upgrades included adding a
swimming pool, cattle enclosure, chicken run, visitors centre and amphitheater.
Zuma was ordered to repay money on renovations unrelated to security. The
National Treasury will determine exactly how much.
"The constitution, rule of
law and accountability is the sharp and mighty sword ready to chop off the ugly
head of impunity," the court ruled Thursday.
The court also faulted the
National Assembly for its investigation of the President, saying its
exoneration of him "was inconsistent with the Constitution and
unlawful."