Former President Jacob Zuma remains defiant, asserting he should not bear responsibility for the nearly R29 million spent on his legal defense. He claims the state committed “monetary wrongdoing” by unlawfully funding his legal costs.
Zuma’s Appeal on ANC Decision Set for Friday Hearing
Zuma has faced backlash for suggesting that his late advocate in his corruption trial, Kemp J. Kemp, should be held liable for the legal expenses state officials are now pursuing from him.
In January, the State Attorney and Administration initiated legal action to compel Zuma to repay the amount, following a 2021 Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling directing the recovery of funds the state had used to cover his legal bills.
Unusual Claims
In court documents filed at the Gauteng High Court, State Attorney Isaac Chowe dismissed Zuma’s argument as “bizarre.” Zuma alleged that Kemp should be liable for the massive legal bill.
Chowe criticized the claim, stating there is no legal basis for holding legal representatives responsible for fees already paid. He urged the court to denounce such “baseless accusations.”
“There is no principle requiring legal fees paid to attorneys to be reimbursed by the attorneys themselves,” Chowe argued. “This claim has no legal foundation and is not recognized as a remedy.”
Apartheid Comparisons Rejected
Zuma has repeatedly asserted that the state’s pursuit of him is discriminatory, citing examples of apartheid-era officials who received state-funded legal assistance but were not required to repay those costs.
He referenced former apartheid Prime Minister PW Botha’s trial for contempt of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Defense Minister Magnus Malan’s trial for the KwaMakhutha massacre, and Dr. Wouter Basson’s criminal trial.
However, Chowe highlighted that all those individuals were acquitted, meaning the terms of the agreement—similar to one Zuma signed—did not require repayment unless convicted.
Questioning Timing
Zuma further argued that the State Attorney’s claim against him is “premature,” contending that funds can only be recovered if and when he is convicted.
Chowe dismissed this argument, emphasizing that Zuma had exhausted previous legal avenues and was simply recycling claims already rejected by the SCA.
Legal Fees Balloon
The state initially estimated Zuma’s legal costs at R18.2 million. However, a subsequent review revealed the total to be R28.9 million, with an additional R10.7 million identified in previously unrecorded payments.
Zuma has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting he is entitled to full state funding as the charges against him relate to his role in government.
Final Word
The High Court previously ruled that the legal battle was Zuma’s personal matter and not one the state should fund. Both the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) opposed his appeal at the SCA, which upheld that taxpayers should not bear the burden of Zuma’s defense.
Zuma’s latest appeal will be heard on Friday, marking another chapter in the lengthy legal saga over his corruption trial and the recovery of state funds.
