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Nkandla: South Africa's Zuma challenged in top court Nkandla: South Africa's Zuma challenged in top court
(about 2 hours later)
South Africa's top court is hearing an opposition case that the president should repay about $23m (£15m) of state funds used to renovate his rural home.South Africa's top court is hearing an opposition case that the president should repay about $23m (£15m) of state funds used to renovate his rural home.
An independent 2014 report said Jacob Zuma had "benefited unduly" from the upgrades, which include a swimming pool, chicken run and amphitheatre.An independent 2014 report said Jacob Zuma had "benefited unduly" from the upgrades, which include a swimming pool, chicken run and amphitheatre.
He has offered to pay some of the money back but the case is still going ahead.He has offered to pay some of the money back but the case is still going ahead.
Protesters, led by former Zuma ally turned fierce opponent Julius Malema, are marching in Johannesburg. Protesters, led by former Zuma ally turned fierce opponent Julius Malema, have marched to the court.
The demonstration was against "corruption and cronyism", a spokesman for his Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said.The demonstration was against "corruption and cronyism", a spokesman for his Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said.
But Mr Zuma's ANC party called the planned march to the court a "political exercise". The Democratic Alliance (DA) opposition party has also also organised its own protest outside the court in Johannesburg, where there is a strong police presence.
Mr Zuma's ANC party called the protests a "political exercise".
Latest updates from court and protestsLatest updates from court and protests
How Zuma's home has grownHow Zuma's home has grown
Political row 'Unlawful enrichment'
The constitutional court in Johannesburg is being asked to rule on whether the government flouted the law by ignoring recommendations of the 2014 report by the anti-corruption watchdog, known as the Public Protector. The constitutional court is being asked to rule on whether the government flouted the law by ignoring recommendations of the 2014 report by the anti-corruption watchdog, known as the Public Protector.
Mr Zuma has been cleared of wrongdoing in a police report over his residence in rural Nkandla.Mr Zuma has been cleared of wrongdoing in a police report over his residence in rural Nkandla.
The hashtag #PayBackTheMoney, mirroring the slogan used by EFF members to taunt the president, has been trending in South Africa, as people comment on the court case:
The government has said the upgrades were made to boost security, and the swimming pool was, in fact, a "fire pool" that could be used in the event a fire broke out at the residence.The government has said the upgrades were made to boost security, and the swimming pool was, in fact, a "fire pool" that could be used in the event a fire broke out at the residence.
The saga has become a major political scandal, at one point sparking scuffles inside parliament.The saga has become a major political scandal, at one point sparking scuffles inside parliament.
EFF lawyer Wim Trengrove told the court the president had defied the Public Protector to "enrich himself", South Africa's private News24 website reports. EFF lawyer Wim Trengrove told the court the president had defied the Public Protector to unlawfully "enrich himself", South Africa's private News24 website reports.
"His conduct at the time and response to the report was in violation of the constitution," Mr Trengrove is quoted as telling the judges."His conduct at the time and response to the report was in violation of the constitution," Mr Trengrove is quoted as telling the judges.
The case comes at a difficult time for Mr Zuma, who has also been under fire over his handling of the finance ministry.The case comes at a difficult time for Mr Zuma, who has also been under fire over his handling of the finance ministry.
He sacked the respected Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene late last year, and appointed the little-known Des van Rooyen to the post in what critics saw as an attempt by him to increase his influence over the running of the country's finances.He sacked the respected Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene late last year, and appointed the little-known Des van Rooyen to the post in what critics saw as an attempt by him to increase his influence over the running of the country's finances.
The decision led to the value of South Africa's currency plunging and opposition groups calling for Mr Zuma's resignation.The decision led to the value of South Africa's currency plunging and opposition groups calling for Mr Zuma's resignation.
He bowed to the pressure by dismissing Mr Van Rooyen four days later, and appointing the highly regarded Pravin Gordhan to the post.He bowed to the pressure by dismissing Mr Van Rooyen four days later, and appointing the highly regarded Pravin Gordhan to the post.
Analysis: Milton Nkosi, BBC News, JohannesburgAnalysis: Milton Nkosi, BBC News, Johannesburg
Even though President Zuma has now offered to repay the money, the opposition EFF and Democratic Alliance insisted on pressing ahead with the case.Even though President Zuma has now offered to repay the money, the opposition EFF and Democratic Alliance insisted on pressing ahead with the case.
It is not that they do not want the president to pay; they do.It is not that they do not want the president to pay; they do.
But they want to set a precedent by reinforcing the powers of the Public Protector, the corruption watchdog office set up under the country's constitution.But they want to set a precedent by reinforcing the powers of the Public Protector, the corruption watchdog office set up under the country's constitution.
Mr Zuma had justified his reluctance to repay the state by reducing Thuli Madonsela's findings to mere recommendations and said they were not equal to orders given by a court of law.Mr Zuma had justified his reluctance to repay the state by reducing Thuli Madonsela's findings to mere recommendations and said they were not equal to orders given by a court of law.
The EFF smells blood - it hopes the Constitutional Court will conclude that the president contravened the constitution and therefore violated his oath of office.The EFF smells blood - it hopes the Constitutional Court will conclude that the president contravened the constitution and therefore violated his oath of office.
The opposition would then no doubt demand the president's impeachment.The opposition would then no doubt demand the president's impeachment.