SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 20: Jacob Zuma during the 1st speech of Cyril Ramaphosa as the president of the ANC at 54th African National Congress (ANC) national conference at the Nasrec Expo Centre on December 20, 2017 in Soweto, South Africa. The national executive committee (NEC), consisting of 80 members was announced after Ramaphosa’s speech. They play a crucial role in the party’s decision making processes. (Photo by Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)
SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA – DECEMBER 20: Jacob Zuma during the 1st speech of Cyril Ramaphosa as the president of the ANC at 54th African National Congress (ANC) national conference at the Nasrec Expo Centre on December 20, 2017 in Soweto, South Africa. The national executive committee (NEC), consisting of 80 members was announced after Ramaphosa’s speech. They play a crucial role in the party’s decision making processes. (Photo by Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)
It’s hard to keep track of all the legal wrangles Jacob Zuma finds himself in these days. But the High Court in Pretoria is doing a pretty good job of it.
As reported by EWN, they ordered the former President to pay the costs of constantly challenging the calls for remedial action in the courts, which comes to a total of around R10 million.
What has Zuma been ordered to pay R10 million for?
Zuma has repeatedly tried to get the report – carried out by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela – set aside. However, he was ultimately unsuccessful.
You’d have seen that Zuma was whisked into court before this weekend. That, however, wasn’t related to his work in state capture. JZ is facing a separate corruption trial for his role in trying to facilitate an illegal arms deal.
Msholozi now has to face the music, as the Presidency withdrew their challenge of a personal costs order against him. The taxpayer seems to be getting a little relief, but according to DA Federal Executive James Selfe, it’s a job half done.
The DA wants Zuma to pay back even more money
Although he and his party welcome the decision, Selfe state that there are even bigger fish to fry when it comes to recovering Zuma’s legal costs. He’s believed to have racked up a bill of R15.3 million trying to keep his current trial from going to the courts. The DA’s Federal Executive wants it recouped immediately:
“We have requested that the court order that the R15.3 million already spent on the litigation be refunded.”
“Zuma has already cost our country dearly. Ensuring that he personally pays the cost of his frivolous legal fees for the State capture report is only half the battle.”
“The DA will continue with our application to ensure that R15.3 million already spent on ducking and diving is refunded and that Zuma is not given a single cent more for his coming criminal trial.”
Jacob Zuma saw his trial pushed back to 8 June 2018, following a brief appearance in court yesterday. He was backed by vocal supporters and played up to the crowd, insisting he didn’t even know why he was in the dock. We can help with that.
