Con Court rules that Zuma must pay back the money

Mbasa Gqokoma

31 March 2016

Today, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng ruled that the Public Protector’s report and findings on the Nkandla saga, is indeed binding.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said “The remedial action taken by the Public Protector against President Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma in terms of section 182 1C of the constitution is binding.”

Mogoeng Mogoeng further stated that “The President must personally pay the amount determined by the National Treasury within 45 days of this courts signification of its approval of the report.”

He said that the President’s failure to comply with the Public Protector’s remedial action, and the failure of the National Assembly to hold the executive accountable has jeopardised the state.

“Consistent with this constitutional injunction an order will thus been made that the president’s failure to comply with the remedial action taken against him by the Public Protector is inconsistent with his obligation to uphold, defend, respect the constitution as the supreme law of the republic to comply with the remedial action taken by the Public Protector and the duty to assist and protect the Office of the Public Protector, so as to ensure its independence impartiality, dignity and effectiveness.” He concluded.