Trouble for Jacob Zuma: Police launches investigation into $23 million corruption charges

South Africa’s President, Jacob Zuma, is currently under investigation over a $23 million taxpayer-funded refurbishment at his rural homestead in Nkandla in the southeastern province of KwaZulu Natal.

Police confirmed to the country’s parliament on Monday that an investigation has been launched into the matter.

Opposition leader Mmusi Maimane of the Democratic Alliance laid the corruption charges against Zuma in March. The refurbishment work included the construction of a swimming pool, a private clinic and an amphitheatre which Zuma however said he had no knowledge of.

Maimane, who alongside other opposition members called on Zuma to resign, had said: “There can be no doubt that this Nkandla palace was built on corruption by the president for the president with our money.”

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

His government however insists the work was security related but it has earned the president huge criticism of corruption and incompetence.

This is not the first time Zuma has faced criminal charges. In 2009, 700 corruption charges relating to a controversial multi-billion dollar arms deal were leveled against him.

In 2006, he was acquitted of raping a 31-year-old HIV positive woman at his home.