Zuma followed different approach on Nkandla

"I initially followed a different approach... [which was] found to be contrary by the Constitutional Court," he said in a televised address to the nation.

"I earlier adopted a different approach based on a ruling by the Western Cape High Court.  This was later overturned."

He said he wished to confirm that he had no personal knowledge of the irregularities.

Zuma also welcomed the Constitutional Court's judgment on Thursday that he had to pay back some of the money spent on the upgrades, in line with the remedial action by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in her report.

Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said on Thursday that "the National Treasury must determine the reasonable costs of those measures implemented by the Department of Public Works at Zuma's Nkandla homestead that do not relate to security‚ namely the visitors’ centre‚ the amphitheatre‚ the cattle kraal‚ the chicken run and the swimming pool only".

The Constitutional Court also found that Zuma and the National Assembly acted against the Constitution by disregarding Madonsela's report.

(Photo: AFP)