Watch: Trevor Noah Slams Jacob Zuma Over Nkandla Scandal

South African President Jacob Zuma visits the New York Stock Exchange.
South African President Jacob Zuma, pictured visiting the New York Stock Exchange on September 19, 2011, has faced calls to resign over the Nkandla scandal. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

South African comedian Trevor Noah has dug his claws into President Jacob Zuma over the scandal surrounding state-funded upgrades to the embattled president's home.

Noah, who hails from Johannesburg and took over hosting U.S. satirical news program The Daily Show in 2015, ribbed Zuma about the Nkandla scandal on Tuesday's episode of the show.

Zuma spent an estimated 246 million rand ($23 million at the time, $15 million at present exchange rates) renovating his homestead at Nkandla, in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province, according to a 2014 report by the country's public protector Thuli Madonsela.

South Africa's highest court ruled on Thursday that Zuma had failed to uphold the constitution by ignoring Madonsela's recommendations that he repay the costs of some of the upgrades, which included a swimming pool that the presidency initially attempted to justify as a necessary security upgrade by calling it a fire pool.

In the clip, Noah highlights the hundreds of corruption allegations Zuma has faced in the past, as well as referencing a well-known clip of the 73-year-old president struggling to recite a six-figure number.

Noah has ridiculed Zuma over the Nkandla scandal in the past, including tweeting a lyrical composition influenced by Justin Bieber after the president made a public apology on Friday for the "confusion and frustration" the events had caused in South Africa.

"Is it too late now to say sorry? Cause I've, stolen more than just your money..." - Justin Zuma

— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) April 1, 2016

Zuma survived a parliamentary motion brought by the opposition Democratic Alliance party on Tuesday to have him impeached following the Constitutional Court ruling. The president won with 233 lawmakers opposing the motion, in contrast to 143 in favor.

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About the writer


Conor is a staff writer for Newsweek covering Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, security and conflict.

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