President Zuma said he respected the judgement and will abide by it.
“I respect the judgement and will abide by it.
“I have consistently stated that I would pay an amount towards the Nkandla non-security upgrades once this had been determined by the correct authority. The Court has ruled on the matter and has devised a mechanism for such determination by the National Treasury.”
He said as alluded to by the court, they participated in the resolution of this matter voluntarily, through the proposal they made before the matter was heard by the court.
“We also consulted with other parties to the dispute as directed by the court. In the proposal I stated my willingness to pay and to abide by other measures.
“I would like to emphasise that it was never my intention not to comply with the remedial action taken against me by the Public Protector or to disrespect her office.
“It is for this reason that on receiving the report, I submitted it and my initial response to it to the National Assembly within 14 days as required by the Public Protector,” the President said.
He said the Court has welcomed this compliance and stated in the judgment that he also followed up with another response five months later.
“I then allowed another arm of the state, the National Assembly, to go through its own processes in dealing with the report.
“I welcome the finding of the court that it was legally permissible for me to inquire into the correctness of the aspects of the report that I may disagree with.
“I also welcome the clarity provided by the Constitutional Court that I should have then taken the matter on review by a court of law in the event of any queries or disagreement,” he said.
He said this interpretation will be followed by the Executive in the future in light of this judgement, adding that it will put an end to any other interpretations of this matter.
“I also respect the finding that failure to comply with the remedial action taken against me by the Public Protector is inconsistent with the Constitution of the Republic.
1. Read more: President Zuma said he respected the judgement and will abide by it.
2. Read more: President Zuma never knowingly violated Constitution
3. Read more: He said the judgement has been very helpful.
4. Read more: Improving supply chain procedures
5. Read more: Criminal referrals sent to departments
6. Read more: President Zuma apologises to the nation
