JZ not too old to do time, look at Nazi war criminals

ACCORDING to Jacob Zuma’s nephew, Simphiwe, the former president cannot afford to repay the state the huge legal bills if he loses the corruption case.

Shame, what a pauper he must be to live in his Nkandla mansion with his four wives, dozens of children and drawing a princely pension with all the perks of a presidential retirement.

Simphiwe argues further that, irrespective of whether he wins or loses, the state must pay Zuma’s legal costs as the allegations brought against him were during his tenure as an employee of the state.

But didn’t Zuma take an oath of office that he would be loyal to the republic and uphold the constitution? Didn’t the high court find that he had broken his oath of office and violated the constitution when he used public funds to build his Nkandla mansion?

If he has been looting state coffers, should he be privileged to have the state pay his legal fees?

I think that the provision which entitles a president to claim legal fees in litigation needs to be revisited. Zuma was abusing this privilege, mounting numerous challenges and appeals to delay and frustrate the wheels of justice.

He held the highest office in the land, was paid handsomely for it and enjoyed numerous privileges. Still he wasn’t satisfied and, together with his cronies, allegedly looted the state coffers.

Although many of the allegations have to be still tested in court, what has been unearthed so far is mind-blowing and damning.

Some say that if he’s convicted he would be too old to serve time in prison and the courts would take this into consideration when passing sentence.

But there are several prisoners around the world who are well into their 90s and are still serving time.

Seventy years after World War II, Nazi war criminals were still being hunted down and dragged to courts to face justice for their heinous role in the Nazi atrocities.

So why should Zuma not serve time in prison?

The alleged crimes he has committed are tantamount to treason. He has betrayed the ANC, the poor and the country.

I am not a legal expert but common sense tells me if he broke his oath of office he’s not entitled to legal aid. He must pay, not in the netherworld but here on earth. THYAGARAJ MARKANDAN

Silverglen