TheCable

South African constitutional court ruled on Thursday that President Jacob Zuma failed to uphold, defend and respect the constitution when he ignored the instructions of an anti-graft watchdog to repay some of $16 million spent on his private home.

The unanimous ruling by the 11 judges, sitting in Johannesburg gave Zuma 105 days to repay the “reasonable cost” of non-security-related upgrades to his sprawling rural residence at Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal.

Mogoeng Mogoeng, the presiding judge, described the uncompromising nature of the judgment as a “profound lesson” for South Africa’s young democracy.

Meanwhile, opposition leader, Mmusi Maimane, told reporters that Zuma should be removed from office.

He insisted that he would table a parliamentary motion to have him impeached.

The ruling by the constitutional court was the latest twist in a six-year saga that has damaged Zuma politically, an official said on condition of anonymity.

He said it was also a vindication for Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, a constitutionally mandated anti-graft watchdog.

Zuma, a 73-year-old Zulu traditionalist, has been under fire since December when his abrupt sacking of finance minister Nhlanhla Nene sent the rand into a tail-spin.

The rand firmed to a near-four month high against the dollar as Mogoeng delivered his ruling.