South Africa defends Zuma's security upgrade, including chicken coop


JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's government dismissed criticisms on Thursday that a $21 million (£12.9 million) state-funded security upgrade of President Jacob Zuma's private home was extravagant, saying features such as a chicken coop and cattle pen were more than "nice to haves".

The cost of the upgrade has sparked an outcry against Zuma, whose unpopularity as South Africa's leader since 2009 was highlighted when he was booed at a memorial for anti-apartheid legend Nelson Mandela on December 10.

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