SOUTH Africa’s Constitutional Court put the cat among the pigeons yesterday, ruling that parliament failed to hold President Jacob Zuma to account over public spending on his private residence.

The country’s top court ordered the national assembly to institute rules “without delay” to provide for the president’s removal.

The ruling, read out in court by Justice Chris Jafta, was in response to a petition by three opposition parties: the Democratic Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters and Congress of the People.