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South African court hears case against president | South African court hears case against president |
(about 1 hour later) | |
JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s highest court on Tuesday heard a case against President Jacob Zuma, who is accused of violating the constitution in a scandal over state spending on his private home. | |
Opposition parties brought the case against Zuma to the Constitutional Court, whose proceedings in a packed, brick-lined chamber were shown on live television. Opposition protesters marched to the courthouse as the robed judges inside considered whether the president broke the law by failing to follow a 2014 recommendation from the state watchdog agency that he pay back some of the more than $20 million in home upgrades. | |
“He didn’t do what the constitution required him to do,” said Wim Trengrove, a lawyer for the opposition. | |
On Feb. 3, Zuma’s office said he was willing to reimburse some money. His critics said he was trying to avoid the embarrassment of a court hearing about his conduct. | |
The Constitutional Court was expected to clarify whether recommendations made by the Public Protector’s office, which scrutinizes state officials and institutions, are binding. | |
Zuma’s presidency did not appear to be under immediate threat. Parliament has the power to remove him, but the ruling African National Congress party has a comfortable majority and has been supportive of his stance in the scandal over his private compound, known as Nkandla. | |
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Follow Christopher Torchia on Twitter at www.twitter.com/torchiachris | |
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |