Africa highlights: Jacob Zuma apologises, US to 'track' Nigeria money

#AprilFools is one of the hashtags trending in South Africa following President Zuma's speech - the president is commonly referred to as JZ:

APCopyright: AP

Many South Africans were expecting a dramatic resignation speech from their president following yesterday’s Constitutional Court ruling that he had violated the constitution by not paying back state money spent on his private home in Nkandla.

Instead, Mr Zuma welcomed the judgement that backed the earlier view of an anti-corruption body, known as the public protector, that he had “unduly benefited” from some of the $23m (£15m) spent on it.

Here are some key quotes from his national televised address:

Quote Message: I wish to emphasise that I never knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the constitution, which is the supreme law of the republic

I wish to emphasise that I never knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the constitution, which is the supreme law of the republic

Quote Message: The judgement has further strengthened our constitutional democracy and should make South Africans proud of their country’s constitution and its strong and effective institutions"

The judgement has further strengthened our constitutional democracy and should make South Africans proud of their country’s constitution and its strong and effective institutions"

Quote Message: I did not act dishonestly or with any personal knowledge of the irregularities by the Department of Public Works with regards to the Nkandla project. The intention was not in pursuit of corrupt ends or to use state resources to unduly benefit me and my family. Hence I have agreed to pay for the identified items once a determination is made"

I did not act dishonestly or with any personal knowledge of the irregularities by the Department of Public Works with regards to the Nkandla project. The intention was not in pursuit of corrupt ends or to use state resources to unduly benefit me and my family. Hence I have agreed to pay for the identified items once a determination is made"

Quote Message: The Nkandla project brought sharply into focus, the problems within the government supply chain mechanisms. The gross inflation of prices in the Nkandla project is totally unacceptable and should never have been allowed, hence government is improving procurement measures to prevent any future recurrence"

The Nkandla project brought sharply into focus, the problems within the government supply chain mechanisms. The gross inflation of prices in the Nkandla project is totally unacceptable and should never have been allowed, hence government is improving procurement measures to prevent any future recurrence"

Quote Message: I wish to reiterate that any action that has been found not to be in keeping with the constitution happened because of a different approach and different legal advice. It all happened in good faith and there was no deliberate effort or intention to subvert the constitution on my part"

I wish to reiterate that any action that has been found not to be in keeping with the constitution happened because of a different approach and different legal advice. It all happened in good faith and there was no deliberate effort or intention to subvert the constitution on my part"

Quote Message: With hindsight, there are many matters that could have been handled differently, and which should never have been allowed to drag on this long, which we deeply regret. The matter has caused a lot of frustration and confusion, for which I apologise, on my behalf and on behalf of government"

With hindsight, there are many matters that could have been handled differently, and which should never have been allowed to drag on this long, which we deeply regret. The matter has caused a lot of frustration and confusion, for which I apologise, on my behalf and on behalf of government"

ANC Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe has wrapped up the news conference in South Africa (see 19:14 post) that went on for more than an hour - dealing with the last questions from journalists.

He ruled out the possibility of snap elections to be held alongside this year's local elections and said the National Working Committee of the ruling party would decide if President Zuma would face any disciplinary action over the Nkandla saga.

Local broadcaster EyeWitness News tweeted some of his other quotes:

Yesterday the Constitutional Court court also condemned the ANC-dominated parliament for failing to hold Mr Zuma accountable over the repayment of state money on his private home. Mr Mantashe addressed this too:

South Africa's main opposition Democratic Alliance has issued a statement about President Jacob Zuma's speech this evening, saying it "shows clearly that he has no idea what the constitution requires of him or how South Africans view him". 

He had apologised for the frustration caused by a long-running scandal over improper state spending at his private home in Nkandla - and said he would abide by a court ruling that he must repay some of the money.

Quote Message: To say that he acted “in good faith”, and that it has all been a misunderstanding based on a “different approach”, insults our intelligence and belittles the sacrifices made by so many to establish our freedom" from Democratic Alliance

To say that he acted “in good faith”, and that it has all been a misunderstanding based on a “different approach”, insults our intelligence and belittles the sacrifices made by so many to establish our freedom"

The party renewed its call for the president to be impeached:

Quote Message: Jacob Zuma is the cancer at the heart of South African politics; he is not capable of honourable conduct, and cannot continue to be President of our country"

Jacob Zuma is the cancer at the heart of South African politics; he is not capable of honourable conduct, and cannot continue to be President of our country"

Quote Message: Nkandla represents the worst in rampant corruption, but it is but one example. Everywhere in South Africa, corruption is robbing the poorest of the poor of decent services and of the opportunity to get jobs" from Democratic Alliance

Nkandla represents the worst in rampant corruption, but it is but one example. Everywhere in South Africa, corruption is robbing the poorest of the poor of decent services and of the opportunity to get jobs"

Read: How Zuma's Nkandla home has grown

Why Jacob Zuma must pay for:  

GoogleCopyright: Google

• Swimming pool
• Amphitheatre
• Visitor centre
• Cattle enclosure
• Chicken rub

South Africa's governing ANC has been tweeting some of the main points from the news conference being given by the party's Secretary-General Gwede Mantashe.

He is discussing yesterday's Constitutional Court ruling that said President Jacob Zuma had violated the constitution by refusing to repay government money spent on his private home:

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma apologised for "frustration and confusion" caused by a scandal over public money spent on his private home:

He said he would abide by a Constitutional Court ruling that he should pay back some of taxpayers' money that was used, but denied any wrongdoing.  

If you want to read the full speech, local broadcaster eNCA has published the whole statement.

AFPCopyright: AFP

• Born in Nkandla village on 12 April 1942 

• Brought up by his widowed mother and had no formal schooling 

• Joined ANC at the age of 17 

• Became active member of its military wing, Umkhonto We Sizwe, in 1962 

• Became president in 2009 after battling corruption and rape allegations 

• Highest court ruled that he violated the constitution by failing to repay public money spent to upgrade his private home, for which he has now apologised

Read Zuma's full profile here

Mr Mathashe is now answering questions from journalists in South Africa at the HQ for the governing ANC.

He reiterated that there was complete unanimity at today's ANC meeting - and  a call for President Zuma's resignation was never on the table.

A BBC correspondent in Johannesburg tweets:

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

He has been described as the quintessential escape artist, and President Jacob Zuma has done it again. South Africans were glued to their TV screens awaiting an address. 

Speculation was rife that he 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.

Read: Jacob Zuma, South Africa controversial and colour leader

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Gwede Mantashe, the secretary-general of South Africa's governing ANC party, has begun addressing the media - some 25 minutes after President Jacob Zuma finished his speech to the nation.

He says the ANC top brass met today over the Constitutional Court ruling  that the president must repay government money spent on his private home. 

The ANC is convinced there was not intention by the president to deliberately act "inconsistently with the constitution", he said.

Mr Mantashe said it was appropriate that the president had humbled himself and apologised this evening.

He said there was no need to impeach the president - it was an overreaction by the opposition parties.

T

South African President Jacob Zuma took 20 minutes to address the nation.

And the nation evaluated his speech in under 140 characters:

South Africa's main opposition party, which has called for President Jacob Zuma to be impeached, has expressed disappointment with the speech:

Julius Malema - the leader of the opposition EFF - was commenting while Mr Zuma was speaking:

Jacob Zuma has finished talking.

When he announced he was going to address the nation there was widespread speculation that he would resign. But he didn't do so.

He apologised and said that the fallout from the scandal will help strengthen the constitution.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

President Jacob Zuma has apologised, and says the judgement can strengthen South Africa

Quote Message: I apologise on my behalf and on behalf of my government. I urge all parties to respect the judgement and abide by it. Let us use the judgement to build and further strengthen this democracy."

I apologise on my behalf and on behalf of my government. I urge all parties to respect the judgement and abide by it. Let us use the judgement to build and further strengthen this democracy."

On Thursday South Africa Constitutional Court ruled that President Zuma violated the constitution when he failed to repay government money spent on his private home.

President Zuma said that there will be a review of government procurement policies in the wake of the scandal over upgrades to his private residence.

He said that there may be legal action may be taken against some of those in government who are found to be at fault.

President Zuma says the scandal around the upgrades to his private home has served a good leasson:

Quote Message: The judgement has been very helpful... there are lessons to be learned by all of us which auger well for governance in the future."

The judgement has been very helpful... there are lessons to be learned by all of us which auger well for governance in the future."

President Zuma says again that he has agreed to pay for the mansion upgrade but that he did not act dishonestly.

Quote Message:

Quote Message: I wish to emphasise that I never knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the constitution which is the supreme law of the country."

I wish to emphasise that I never knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the constitution which is the supreme law of the country."

President Jacob Zuma said:

Quote Message: In light of this judgement it puts an end to any other interpretation of this matter."

In light of this judgement it puts an end to any other interpretation of this matter."