South Africa: President To Refund Public Money Illegally Spent On Renovating His Personal House

President Jacob Zuma of South Africa

In a television address on Friday, the South African President said:

"Any action that has been found not to be in keeping with the constitution happened because of a different approach and different legal advice," he said.

A report in 2014 said he had "benefited unduly" and identified several upgrades that could not be linked to extra security.

Opposition parties have been calling for the 73-year-old leader to resign.

"The president is misleading South Africa. He said repeatedly he always wanted to pay: He never wanted to pay," said Democratic Alliance leader Mmusi Maimane.

The opposition has also launched impeachment proceedings against Mr Zuma.

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They are unlikely to be successful, though, because impeachment requires a two-thirds majority, while Mr Zuma’s party, the ANC, has a healthy majority.

The ANC has already defeated a no-confidence motion against Mr Zuma this year.