Taxpayers to fund another Zuma legal battle

President Cyril Ramaphosa has agreed taxpayers will once again cough up for former President Jacob Zuma’s legal costs – this time it is for an appeal against the personal costs order granted against Zuma following his aborted attempt to review former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s State of Capture report. City Press says a letter from the State Attorney’s Office, recently submitted to the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria), confirms that the Presidency has authorised the payment of costs for Zuma in this matter. This is despite the fact that the court battle over Zuma’s legal costs in respect of his criminal trial has not yet been finalised. This payment will be over and above the growing legal bill for litigation related to Zuma’s corruption trial. The Presidency has indicated it will continue to carry these costs until a court orders otherwise. The case for which new funds have been authorised relates to litigation over Madonsela’s report. Zuma attempted to interdict her from releasing the report in late 2016, just before her term of office ended. However, he abruptly abandoned the case after argument had already begun and the court eventually ordered him to pay legal costs in his personal capacity. Taxpayers will cover the reasonable costs of Zuma’s new personal attorney, Daniel Mantsha, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC and junior counsel. Mantsha is the former chairperson of Denel who was linked to the Guptas through leaked e-mails. The Presidency does, however, expect Zuma to pay back the money if the appeal does not succeed. Former police boss Jackie Selebi, who was convicted of corruption, had to sign a similar agreement, but never paid back a cent, notes the report.

Full City Press report