State not obligated to pay Zuma’s legal fees

The deal was originally stuck between Zuma and former president Thabo Mbeki.

The application was initially brought by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and later joined by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

The parties argued that it is unlawful for taxpayers' money to be used to fund Zuma’s personal legal costs incurred during his corruption cases.

Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba delivered the landmark judgment on Thursday.

“The decisions taken by the Presidency and the state attorney that the state would cover the legal costs of Mr. Zuma incurred in his personal capacity, are declared invalid and are set aside. The state attorney is directed to compile a full and complete accounting of all the legal costs incurred by Mr. Zuma in his personal capacity in the criminal prosecution against him and all related litigation including all applications referred to in this matter.”

Ledwaba also instructed the state attorney to begin a process to recover the money used to pay for Zuma’s legal fees and release a report within three months.

The state is estimated to have paid at least R15.3 million so far.

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DA leader Mmusi Maimane described the judgment as a victory for taxpayers. 

“This stops the ATM of corruption because ultimately the people of this country have been treated as an ATM where people who steal from the government will now no longer have their cases paid for by the people of this country. We look forward to the actual real figures that Mr. Zuma owes to the people for South Africa.”

Maimane says the new deal between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Zuma that money will be paid to cover his legal fees has now been set aside.

“When I asked Ramaphosa in Parliament about this, he referred to the agreement with Zuma and I insisted that that agreement cannot stand. And ultimately now, the ANC must be able to account to the people of this country on what was the basis of that deal,” added Maimane.