EVEN as the media beamed TV signals worldwide during the obsequies
in honour of the late South African president, Nelson Mandela, in 2013,
the international networks could not resist flashing the images of the
expansive, palatial country mansion of South Africa’s current
president, Jacob Zuma. The imposing edifice, which had just been
upgraded with public funds, had become a subject of public controversy.
The controversy recently came to a head when the South African
Supreme Court ruled that President Zuma had unduly benefitted from the
use of public funds and had failed to “uphold, defend and respect” the
constitution of the country by refusing to pay some of the money that
was ostensibly spent on “security upgrades” in his personal home in
Nkandla, KwaZulu Natal. The project, which cost the country $27
million, included poultry equipment, a cattle enclosure, an
amphitheatre and a swimming pool.
Zuma, who had rebuffed all accusations of wrongdoing before the
Supreme Court ruling, has now apologised to his country on national
television and promised to pay back $16 million in 45 days as ordered
by the court.