JOHANNESBURG: South African President Jacob Zuma faced a chorus of calls on Friday to step down after a court ruled that he breached the constitution in a judgment that engulfed him in a fresh bout of controversy.

In a stinging rebuke, the Constitutional Court said Zuma failed to uphold, defend and respect the constitution by ignoring instructions to pay back some of the $16 million of state money spent upgrading his private home.

Zuma retains widespread loyalty within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) whose lawmakers dominate Parliament, but his tarnished image has shaken the party ahead of local elections.

The main opposition said it will take any steps necessary to remove President Zuma from his post should Parliament fail to do so.

The Democratic Alliance, hailed court’s damning verdict a day earlier that Zuma had violated the constitution by refusing to repay public funds spent on his private home.

“We cannot have Jacob Zuma and the Constitution in one Parliament. Both those things cannot co-exist,” Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane told a news conference.