South African President Jacob Zuma’s swimming pool filled with hot water

South African President Jacob Zuma finds himself in over his head trying to explain how a swimming pool and guesthouses are essential security upgrades needed on his rural estate.

Opposition parties are demanding an explanation after The Mail and Guardian newspaper revealed a report that said taxpayers funded 215 million rand ($21 million) worth of renovations to his property.

A report from public protector Thuli Madonsela said Zuma is guilty of abusing government resources, misleading parliament and that he should repay the state.

The president had earlier claimed the government had no role in the work.

“All the buildings and every room we use in that residence was built by ourselves as family and not by government,” Zuma said a year ago, the Mail and Guardian reported.

According to the paper, state money spent on Zuma’s sprawling, rural Nkandla home was 10 times greater than what former president FW de Klerk needed in security upgrades.

Nelson Mandela’s home, by comparison, needed a paltry 32 million rand ($3 million) of work.

“As more and more details surrounding ‘Nkandlagate’ emerge, it is becoming increasingly clear that President Zuma is at the centre of one of the biggest corruption scandals in democratic South Africa,” opposition leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said, The Guardian reported.

“He must be accordingly held accountable by parliament for his actions.”

According to the report, contractors built a swimming pool, amphitheater, visitors’ center, cattle corral, paved and homes for family living on the compound.

The swimming pool was passed off as a reservoir for firefighters, The Telegraph said.

There were some legitimate projects — namely 20 houses for police protection, a clinic and two helipads — but the report blasted the president for not building them in a nearby town to benefit the broader community, Reuters reported.

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