Jacob Zuma's Nkandla home: South African papers defy photo ban

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25049641

Version 0 of 2.

South African newspapers have published images of President Jacob Zuma's residence, defying a government warning that this would break security laws.

Mr Zuma's Nkandla residence is at the centre of a row after it emerged that the government had used $20m (£12m) of taxpayer's money to refurbish it.

Cabinet ministers on Thursday said anyone who published images or footage of the estate would face arrest.

The South African Editors' forum described the warning as "absurd".

The Times newspaper has the headline "So, arrest us," above a picture of the luxury thatched-roof compound.

The Star newspaper has a photo of the homestead with a big red cross over it and the caption: "Look away! What ministers don't want you to see".

State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele on Thursday said:

"No-one, including those in the media, is allowed to take images and publicise images even pointing where the possible security features are," he said.

"It is not done anywhere. We have not seen the images of the White House showing where the security features are. It is not done in any democracy."

The warning has created public outrage, with many expressing their dissatisfaction on Twitter and also posting pictures of the home.