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South Africa President Jacob Zuma vows to obey court ruling South Africa President Jacob Zuma vows to obey court ruling
(35 minutes later)
South African President Jacob Zuma has promised to abide by a court ruling that he must repay government money spent on his private home.South African President Jacob Zuma has promised to abide by a court ruling that he must repay government money spent on his private home.
"I respect the judgement and will abide by it," Mr Zuma said."I respect the judgement and will abide by it," Mr Zuma said.
On Thursday, South Africa's highest court said he was violating the constitution by refusing to pay.On Thursday, South Africa's highest court said he was violating the constitution by refusing to pay.
The case was brought by the opposition, which accused him of using "ill-gotten wealth" to upgrade his home with a swimming pool and amphitheatre.The case was brought by the opposition, which accused him of using "ill-gotten wealth" to upgrade his home with a swimming pool and amphitheatre.
Mr Zuma had denied any wrongdoing.Mr Zuma had denied any wrongdoing.
The public protector, an anti-corruption body, ruled in 2014 that $23m (£15m) had been spent on his rural home in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province and ordered him to repay part of the money.The public protector, an anti-corruption body, ruled in 2014 that $23m (£15m) had been spent on his rural home in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal province and ordered him to repay part of the money.
In Thursday's unanimous judgement, the Constitutional Court ruled that the public protector was a "Biblical David" fighting against the Goliath of corruption.In Thursday's unanimous judgement, the Constitutional Court ruled that the public protector was a "Biblical David" fighting against the Goliath of corruption.
Mr Zuma's failure to repay the money was "inconsistent" with the constitution, the court added.Mr Zuma's failure to repay the money was "inconsistent" with the constitution, the court added.
Analysis: Pumza Fihlani, BBC News, Johannesburg
He has been described as the quintessential escape artist, and he has done it again. South Africans were glued to their TV screens awaiting an address. Speculation was rife that the president would resign. Instead people got an apology, the first since the Nkandla saga erupted six years ago.
The immediate reaction for many is disappointment. Remember though that Mr Zuma is a master tactician who rose to the highest office against all odds. He is not about to let that go without a fight.
True to his smoothness, Mr Zuma peppered his address with denials and promises to never allow this to happen again. He even spoke about how this could only make the country stronger.
The man that has been the cause of anger for many presented himself as a victim of unclear rules, but said that he now knows better and that the country should forgive him and move on. It takes a lot of charm and confidence to display such boldness, and the president lives to fight another day.
In an address to the nation on Friday, he said he respected "the finding that failure to comply with the remedial action taken against me by the public protector is inconsistent with the constitution".In an address to the nation on Friday, he said he respected "the finding that failure to comply with the remedial action taken against me by the public protector is inconsistent with the constitution".
He added that he had "never knowingly and deliberately set out to violate the constitution" and apologised for the "frustration and confusion" created by the scandal.He added that he had "never knowingly and deliberately set out to violate the constitution" and apologised for the "frustration and confusion" created by the scandal.
He has been in office since 2009, and his government has been widely accused of corruption and cronyism.He has been in office since 2009, and his government has been widely accused of corruption and cronyism.
The case had been brought by two opposition parties, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).The case had been brought by two opposition parties, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA).
The EFF called on Mr Zuma to step down. The EFF urged Mr Zuma to step down and the DA called for his impeachment.
Following the president's address, Gwede Mantashe, secretary-general of Mr Zuma's ANC party, described the calls as an "overreaction" by the opposition.