Court orders Zuma to ‘pay back the money’
DA LEADER Mmusi Maimane has welcomed yesterday’s judgment by the North Gauteng High Court to hold former president Jacob Zuma liable for his legal fees as a great victory in for accountability.
“The Democratic Alliance has always maintained it was wrong of president Mbeki to decide that the public should pay for Zuma’s defence, and we argued that President Ramaphosa should have cancelled this illegal deal immediately,” said Maimane in a statement.
An agreement between Zuma and the presidency to pay for his legal fees was also set aside by the court.
“Sadly, President Cyril Ramaphosa chose to help Jacob Zuma instead of standing up for accountability for corruption. We are thrilled that our court action has been successful,” said Maimane.
Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba said the state should not be held liable for Zuma’s fees, both in criminal and civil matters.
Maimane said the court ruling called a halt to a system of corruption where those who loot from the state then defend themselves using public money.
“This case sets an important precedent, and we will take this fight further to those people complicit in state capture.”
The court has ordered the State attorney to take all necessary steps including the institution of civil proceedings to recover the money spent on Zuma’s legal fees. – African News Agency (ANA)