South Africa
South Africa’s president Jacob Zuma is set to deliver his state of the nation address later today amid impeachment calls from the opposition.
Zuma’s address to the National Assembly comes days after a case against him began in the country’s highest court. The embattled president is being accused of using state funds for personal use.
According to an anti-graft report, Zuma used 23 million US dollars in 2013 to renovate his rural home.
Initially, Zuma denied any wrong doing leading to a scandal that has plagued his government. Nonetheless, last week he vowed to pay back part of the money.
His speech last year was disrupted by the opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters, who demanded that he pays back the money spent on his home. This year, the party has vowed to interrupt Zuma’s speech yet again in order to question the president on the sacking of two finance ministers in December.
Visit the State of the Nation Address website for the latest updates on #SONA2016 https://t.co/2jQWyIVdXt pic.twitter.com/TjJZpKjodH
— Parliament of RSA (@ParliamentofRSA) February 11, 2016
Zuma’s speech is expected to outline key policy objectives and deliverables for the year amid sluggish growth and depreciation of the rand.
Security has been tightened in parliament ahead of the speech and guidelines laid out to maintain order in the house.
The red carpet is being rolled out for #SONA2016
ParliamentofRSA
#sabcnews salpatel786 pic.twitter.com/m95oftXo4C— Newsbreak (@Newsbreak_Lotus) February 11, 2016
01:03
First known outbreak of rabies in seals reported in South Africa
Go to video
Whitney Houston's epic 1994 performance in South Africa to hit theaters as a concert film
02:14
Tyla wins best afrobeats, Swift encourages voting, and more highlights from the 40th VMAs
01:50
South African farmers accused of killing two women, feeding bodies to pigs
01:30
South Africa's last captive elephant starts new life 200 km away from zoo
Go to video
South African beauty queen crowned Miss Nigeria after nationality row