Zuma: South Africa's president denies corruption charges

He admitted that ``there are many matters that could have been handled differently’’ and apologised ``on my behalf and that of the government.’’

South African President Jacob Zuma listens at a news conference in Cape Town, in this June 14, 2005 file photo. (REUTERS/Mike Hutchings/Files)

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma on Friday denied having acted dishonestly, when he used about 16 million dollars taxpayers’ money to upgrade his rural home, but he pledged to pay back some money.

Zuma addressed the nation on television a day after the Constitutional Court ruled that his failure to accept a recommendation from the public protector that he repaid part of the money was a violation of the constitution.
``I did not act dishonestly or with any personal knowledge of irregularities,’’ Zuma said.
He admitted that ``there are many matters that could have been handled differently’’ and apologised ``on my behalf and that of the government.’’
However, the speech disappointed many South Africans who had expected Zuma to announce his resignation.