Jacob Zuma's attempts to avoid paying back the money is ‘bizarre’, says State Attorney

John Maytham speaks to News24 Legal Journalist Karyn Maughan to unpack the latest developments in the ongoing legal battle to recover R28.9 million in taxpayer funds spent on Jacob Zuma's defence.

Listen below.

Former president Jacob Zuma's suggestion that his late corruption trial lawyer was liable for his almost R30 million legal bill has been labelled 'bizarre' by State Attorney Isaac Chowe.

Zuma is attempting to absolve himself of liability for the millions of rand racked up in lawyers' fees.

The Gauteng High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal have previously decreed that the former president was ineligible for taxpayer funding for his defence and must reimburse it.

It was the Democratic Alliance (DA) who brought the matter of interest payments to court.

Maughan says that his latest argument has no basis in the preceding history of the case.

"The argument of the court wasn't that the money should be recovered from the legal practitioners, it was that it should be recovered from Jacob Zuma because it was to his benefit." 

- Karyn Maughan, Legal journalist - News 24

"Importantly, as the State Attorney has pointed out, Jacob Zuma cherry-picked his legal team. He knew that he was getting Kemp J Kemp who was a senior counsel and there certainly wasn't any agreement that the attorneys or legal teams would be liable for the costs should he be convicted."

- Karyn Maughan, Legal journalist - News 24

Maughan says the stakes are high for Zuma, noting the potential garnishment of his pension if he fails to settle the debt.

Speaking to Maytham earlier in the year, Maughan also noted that Zuma had previously signed an agreement stating that if he was found guilty of corruption, he would be expected to pay back that money.

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