JOHANNESBURG
Two opposition parties in South Africa on Thursday filed corruption charges against President Jacob Zuma after the country's anti-corruption czar accused him of using public funds to renovate his personal country house in the Nkandla province.
"Criminal charges have been laid against President Zuma at the scene of the crime in Nkandla," the Democratic Alliance (DA), the country's main opposition party, said in a press statement.
"These corruption charges we lay today are in addition to the 783 counts of corruption, money laundering and fraud that the DA is still in court fighting for President Zuma to answer to," it added.
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Wednesday blamed Zuma for using massive public funds to renovate his country house.
"The expenditure incurred by the state, including buildings and other items installed by the Department of Public Works, many of which went beyond what was reasonably required for the president's security, was unconscionable, excessive and caused a misappropriation of public funds," she said in a 400-page report on the scandal.
The upgrade of Zuma's rural home in the town of Nkandla in the Kwazulu Natala province was supposed to have cost the state some $2.5 million.
But with lavish upgrades – including a swimming pool, cattle kraal and visitor's center – the total cost skyrocketed to some $23 million.
Madonsela, who launched her investigation in 2012 following complaints by the public, also found that several government officials involved in the project had failed to follow standard management policies.
She has ordered the president to repay the money spent on unnecessary upgrades of his country home.
Zuma, who served as deputy president between 1999 and 2005, was elected president in 2009. In the past, he has faced charges of rape and corruption.
-Ultimatum-
President of the Economic Freedom Fighters party (EFF) Julius Malema, a former associate of Zuma, also filed corruption, theft, fraud and racketeering charges against the embattled president at Sunnyside police station.
"With the police case opened, the EFF expects the police to swiftly act against those who should be held accountable," the party said in a statement.
"The public protector's report is evidence enough to lay criminal charges against Mr. Zuma, his architect Mr. Makhanya, and the minister of police Mr. Mthethwa," it added.
The statement said that if the police and the prosecution authority ignore the police case, the EFF will explore the possibility of private prosecution since they have an obligation to protect the rule of law.
During the filing of the corruption charge, Malema addressed supporters outside the police station.
He issued an ultimatum to President Zuma to resign in 20 days or he would march with supporters to the president's official residence.
Malema was a close ally of Zuma when he served as Youth League president of Zuma's ruling African National Congress (ANC).
The two men fell out and Malema was expelled after being accused of bringing the party into disrepute.
Earlier today, ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe said the governing party would not apologize on behalf of President Zuma.
He said if the party apologized on the president's behalf, then South Africans would perceive it as a cover-up.
Mantashe asserted that, if an apology was required, those involved – not the party – should offer it.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
