The High Court has ruled that government is not liable for the legal costs incurred by former president Jacob Zuma in his personal capacity during his corruption trials.<\/p>\n
The court made the ruling on Thursday, following a bid by the Democratic Alliance to have the state’s decision to keep supporting Zuma put aside.<\/p>\n
It will now be up to the state attorney to compile a full list of costs incurred by Zuma during the corruption case, and to take all the necessary steps to recover the money from the former president.<\/p>\n
This must be done within three months of the ruling. The DA and EFF were also awarded costs.<\/p>\n
According to the DA, the party has fought for over a decade to ensure that the former president has his day in court relating to fraud and corruption charges which were “irrationally” dismissed in 2009 before he became president.<\/p>\n
During this action and other actions both preceding and subsequent to the DA\u2019s action, his legal defence fees have been paid by the taxpayers of South Africa.<\/p>\n
In respect of the DA\u2019s action, the cost has been R16 million, the party said, but it estimates the real cost is probably closer to R50 million.<\/p>\n
“We approached the court in this action because we believe it was unacceptable for South African citizens to foot the bill of a private defence,” the party said.<\/p>\n