Zuma cites poor legal advice for #Nkandlagate

President Jacob Zuma delivered a long explanation for his failure to comply with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's report into the security upgrades at Nkandla when he appeared on national television on Friday (01/04/2016) night.

He was responding to the judgment by the Constitutional Court on Thursday which said that he had failed to uphold‚ defend and respect the Constitution.

In the address‚ Zuma said: "I never knowingly or deliberately set out to violate the Constitution which is the supreme law of the Republic".

"There was no deliberate.. intention to subvert the Constitution on my part‚" he said.

Zuma was speaking after meeting the African National Congress top brass on Friday.

He urged South Africans to use the judgment to build and further strengthen South Africa's democracy.

Zuma blamed his legal advice for his initial approach to Madonsela's report. He said while his approach was correct in law at the time‚ it was later demonstrated to be "contrary to the Constitution".

He had adopted an approach which was guided by the Western Cape High Court‚ which said that the Public Protector's findings were not binding as a court judgment was. This ruling was however overturned on appeal.

"I confirm in line with the findings that I did not act dishonestly or with any personal knowledge of the irregularities by the department of public works with regard to the Nkandla project.

"The intent was not in pursuit of corrupt ends hence I have agreed to pay for the identified items once a determination is made."

The ANC will hold a separate media briefing later on Friday night to announce the outcomes of its meeting held today.

Zuma's response is likely to intensify resolve by opposition political parties‚ who have called for his head after the judgment.