S.Africa’s Zuma shifts blame on private residence upgrade

South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma Thursday informed parliament that the minister of police should decide if he was liable for the controversial state-funded security upgrades on his private home.

Zuma’s rural homestead received an approximately $23 million facelift about four years ago, prompting a probe by the public watchdog.

The public ombudsman Thuli Madonsela in March ruled that Zuma had “benefited unduly” from the construction, ordering him to pay part of the cost.

In a written report to parliament, Zuma said the minister of police should determine if he was “liable for any contribution in respect of the security upgrades,” which include an array of non-security features.

He also called for a review of security regulations used to implement the upgrades.

“What appears apparent if that whilst a legislative framework exists, it was either deficient in certain respects, wholly ignored or mis-applied,” read his statement.

Zuma, who was re-elected president in May has maintained that he had no influence over the renovations, adding that he did not ask for them.

The upgrades in a rural village north of the KwaZulu Natal province included the building of a helipad, swimming pool, private clinic and amphitheatre.

It was the most expensive improvement on a home of a president and the ombudsman’s report revealed some of the funds used for construction were diverted from development projects.

Zuma has faced both political and public wrath of the excessive spending, in a country battling rampant unemployment and inequality.

Opposition parties have called for him to resign over the controversy.