South African president, Jacob Zuma has denied allegations that he asked for R246 million to be spent on the makeover of his private residence in Nkanda, KwaZulu-Natal.

South Africans have cried foul after reports emerged that the state spent an estimated $23 million on the makeover of the president's private home.

A report released on the said renovation disclosed, the makeover included a swimming pool, a helipad and even a chicken coop and that due to added features, the renovation which was initially estimated to cost R65 million (about $6 million) jumped up to R246 million.

South Africa's Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela, according to reports on his reacting to the makeover, said the makeover was "excessive" and that the president should "repay" some of the costs.

But Jacob Zuma, reacting to the allegations for the first time during a-door-to-door campaign in Gugulethu, Cape Town, in the Eastern Cape, said he did not order for the renovations.

The president told Africa News Network (ANN7) that his government officials "did this without telling me. So why should I pay for something I did not ask for?."

Meanwhile, South African news outfit, News24, is reporting that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) has said officials implicated in the makeover scandal should be brought to book.