South Africa opposition files graft charges against Zuma over home upgrade

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma delivers his State of the Nation address at Parliament in Cape Town February 13, 2014. REUTERS/Roger Bosch

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa's main opposition party laid criminal charges against President Jacob Zuma on Thursday, accusing him of "flagrant abuse" of public money over $23 million (13 million pounds) in upgrades to his home that included a swimming pool and a cattle enclosure.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) filed eight charges of corruption against Zuma at a police station near his Nkandla homestead, a party spokeswoman said.