Zuma Apologizes for Spending Scandal, But Won't Resign
South African President Jacob Zuma
speaks at a Human Rights Day rally in Durban, South Africa, March 21, 2016.
"I wish to emphasize that I
never knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the constitution, which is
the supreme law of the republic," Zuma said.
South Africa's top court ruled
Thursday that Zuma did violate the constitution by ignoring the state
anti-corruption agency's recommendation that he return part of the $20 million
spent on his home improvements.
Under the court's ruling, the national
treasury will decide which of the upgrades at Zuma's house were related to
security, and will order Zuma to reimburse the cost of any other expenses, such
as the swimming pool and a cattle enclosure.
Opposition leaders have been calling
for Zuma’s impeachment, but that seems unlikely. Impeachment requires a vote by
two-thirds of South Africa’s parliament, in which Zuma’s ruling African
National Congress (ANC) party holds a large majority of seats.
Following Zuma's address, ANC
General Secretary Gwede Mantashe told a news conference that the party's top
leadership was behind Zuma.
"The ANC is convinced that
there was no intention on the part of the president, as he himself has said,
and the ANC members in parliament to deliberately act inconsistently with the
constitution," he said.
Mantashe also accused the opposition
of "overreacting" and said their calls for Zuma's impeachment were an
"election platform ploy" that was not genuine.
Opposition party leader Mmusi
Maimane called on the ruling party lawmakers Friday to prove their respect for
the constitution and act against Zuma.
“If you are serious about that, then
you can’t have Jacob Zuma,” he said.
Earlier this year, the parliament
defeated a no-confidence vote in Zuma. In doing so, the Constitutional Court
said Thursday, parliament failed to meet its obligation to hold Zuma
accountable for his lavish spending.
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