allegations linked to President Jacob Zuma's $24m state-funded upgrade
of his house, according to parliamentary papers.
In a written police response to lawmakers published on Monday, police
confirmed that a probe into accusations that the leader misused public
funds to refurbish his house in the rural village of Nkandla "has been
initiated".
Zuma, who was re-elected in May, has insisted that he had no knowledge
of the work on his home, including the construction of a swimming
pool, private clinic and amphitheatre.
His government has insisted all the refurbishments were security related.
The issue has become a lightning rod for criticism of Zuma's
administration, which is seen by many South Africans as tolerant of
corruption and incompetence.
South Africa's national assembly erupted in August with lawmakers
chanting "pay back the money", demanding Zuma return the millions of
dollars spent on his home.
Opposition leader, Mmusi Maimane, of the Democratic Alliance said "now
the police must do their jobs".
Maimane and other opposition politicians had called for Zuma to be the
subject of a criminal investigation over the issue, and have demanded
he resign.
The public ombudsman Thuli Madonsela in March ruled that Zuma had
"benefited unduly" from the construction, ordering him to pay part of
the cost.
Zuma has faced both political and public wrath of the excessive
spending, in a country battling rampant unemployment and inequality.
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