South Africa’s top corruption fighter has said President Jacob Zuma has “benefited unduly” from using state money to improve his rural residence.

The changes to Mr Zuma’s private home, including a pool and cattle enclosure, cost taxpayers $23m (£13.8m).

In a 400-page report, Public Protector Thuli Madonsela accused Mr Zuma of unethical conduct.

She said that Mr Zuma, who faces re-election in May, should repay costs for some of the unnecessary renovations.

The refurbishment of the residence in Nkandla, in Mr Zuma’s home province of KwaZulu-Natal, has turned into a major political controversy in South Africa.

“The president tacitly accepted the implementation of all measures at his residence and has unduly benefited from the enormous capital investment in the non-security installations at his private residence,” Ms Madonsela, South Africa’s ombudsman, said in her report.

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