The ruling African National Congress has branded this a display of the strength of South Africa’s democracy others say it represents a complete U-turn by the country’s most powerful man.
President Jacob Zuma has consistently denied any liability for the $15 million or so spent on renovating his home. When the country’s corruption watchdog found he should repay – Zuma dismissed that merely as a recommendation – one he chose to dismiss until the opposition asked South Africa’s highest court to make a ruling.
On Tuesday, Zuma’s lawyer moved quickly to offer an olive branch. President Jacob Zuma’s lawyer Jeremy Gauntlett, told the court the Nkandla story
– the millions spent on swimming pools, ampitheatres and cattle enclosures – had traumatised South Africa. And that it’s time to draw a line under the affair.
The day after, there’s little sign the South African public wants to do that. The story dominates the headlines and conversations in South Africa. It could be some time before the court delivers its ruling but analysts say the outcome is already clear.
‘The public protector is on one our most important institutions to try and curb corruption, and until yesterday we had the president of the country disregarding the remedial action that she had ordered and doing so for almost two years. That he now recognizes that her remedial action is binding, is very important’ Anthea Jeffrey, South Africa Institute of Race Relations
Supporters say Zuma has done nothing wrong and that his opponents are merely making political capital from the affair. The president himself has said nothing. He has his chance though on Thursday, when’s he due to give his state of the nation address. President Zuma is likely to enjoy a massive audience.
