Former South African President Jacob Zuma is seeking legal advice regarding the government’s recent bid to recover millions of rands spent on his defense in the arms deal corruption case.
The Presidency and the State Attorney have approached the Pretoria High Court to recoup approximately R29 million that was paid by the state for Zuma’s legal representation.
This move follows a 2018 court order that directed the State Attorney to reclaim the funds, ruling that the state was not liable for Zuma’s legal expenses. Zuma attempted to appeal this decision, but the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed his application in 2021.
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According to the court documents filed by State Attorney Isaac Chowe last week, the total amount owed by Zuma is stated as R28,960,774.
This figure represents the expenses incurred between September 2005 and January 2019 for legal and associated services provided to Zuma in his capacity during the criminal and related civil proceedings.
Mzwanele Manyi, the spokesperson for the Jacob Zuma Foundation, confirmed that the former president is currently considering his options and consulting with his legal team.
Manyi highlighted that the notice of motion allows Zuma 30 days to respond and indicate his position. He emphasized that Zuma will make his position clear at the appropriate time.
Meanwhile, the arms deal case is currently on hold pending the outcome of Zuma’s application to have State advocate Billy Downer removed from the prosecution team.
This application has caused further delays in the proceedings, prolonging the resolution of the long-standing corruption allegations surrounding the arms deal. The attempt by the government to recover the funds spent on Zuma’s defense has sparked significant public interest and debate.
Critics argue that it is unfair for taxpayers to bear the burden of Zuma’s legal expenses, especially considering the serious nature of the corruption charges against him. Supporters of Zuma, on the other hand, believe that the state should cover the costs, as the legal proceedings are a consequence of his role as a former president.
The arms deal corruption case has been a contentious issue in South Africa for many years. It involves allegations of bribery and fraud related to a multi-billion-rand arms procurement deal in the late 1990s.
Zuma has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has claimed that the charges against him are politically motivated. The outcome of the government’s attempt to recoup the defense costs will have significant implications for both Zuma and the broader legal landscape in South Africa.
If the court rules in favor of the state, it could set a precedent for holding public officials accountable for their legal expenses in similar cases. Conversely, if Zuma successfully avoids reimbursing the state, it may raise questions about the fairness of the legal system and the allocation of public funds.
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