President Jacob Zuma on Friday evening, in a televised address to the nation, said he “unreservedly” welcomes the Constitutional Court's judgment that he pay back some of the money spent on the non-security upgrades to his private Nkandla residence, in line with the remedial action contained in the Public Protector’s report.


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“Yesterday, the Constitutional Court … issued a judgement on the matter of security upgrades at my private residence in Nkandla.

“I welcome the judgement of the Constitutional Court unreservedly.

“The judgement has underscored the values that underpin our hard-won freedom and democracy, such as the rule of law and the accountability of public office bearers, while also respecting the rights of public office bearers facing scrutiny,” President Zuma said.

He said the judgement has further strengthened the country’s constitutional democracy and should make South Africans proud of their country’s Constitution and its strong and effective institutions.

“This is a ground-breaking judgement with regards to the powers of the Public Protector.

“I wish to thank the Court for providing clarity which will have a positive impact on other Chapter 9 institutions as well with regards to their work,” he said.

He said the Constitutional Court has ruled that the remedial actions of the Public Protector are binding, and that anyone wishing to challenge the remedial action can only do so through a review by a court of law.

“The Court has also ruled that the remedial actions with regards to six features of the Nkandla project must be carried out,” he said.

This entails the National Treasury establishing a reasonable proportion of the reasonable costs of each item to be paid by the President.
President Zuma respects, abides by judgement