Jacob Zuma NPA

Jacob Zuma / Photo by Christopher Furlong, Getty Images

Breaking: Jacob Zuma must pay his legal costs

These legal costs stem from a review of former public protector Thuli Madonsela’s action to establish the state capture inquiry.

Jacob Zuma NPA

Jacob Zuma / Photo by Christopher Furlong, Getty Images

The North Gauteng High Court has ordered former president Jacob Zuma to pay his own legal costs.

On Friday afternoon the North Gauteng High Court dismissed Zuma’s application for leave to appeal personal costs relating to the state capture review, effectively making the former president liable for his own legal fees.

Jacob Zuma forced to pay for state capture review

These legal costs stem from a review of former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s action to establish the state capture inquiry.

In 2017, the former president ordered his lawyers to challenge the ruling which forced him to endorse the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. This legal challenge ultimately failed, as seen by the commission’s current operations.

Adding insult to injury, Zuma was instructed to cover his own legal costs relating to the challenge. However, the former president argued the personal costs ruling, by saying that he had not acted in his personal capacity and therefore could not be held responsible for the fees incurred.

Thuli Madonsela’s state capture report

During her tenure as Public Protector, Mandonsela vehemently fought state capture, ultimately recommending that a commission of inquiry be implemented. The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, overseen by Deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo, is a result of Mandonsela’s concerted efforts.

Furthermore, the investigative report into state capture can be seen as the foundation for the revelations which are currently being exposed to the South African public. The commission, which has already ruffled political feathers, is set to heat up next week, when Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, takes the stand to testify.

Zuma’s personal liability a landmark ruling

The dismissal of Zuma’s application Friday is a landmark ruling which will surely open the floodgates of further litigation relating to Zuma’s exorbitant legal bills which the taxpayer has had to foot.

This is a developing story – more information to be added soon.