Zuma says he's a victim, an innocent recipient of R28m

COUNSEL for former president Jacob Zuma has argued that the former head of state was not responsible for the unlawful government payments made towards his legal fees and should therefore not be compelled to repay the millions in question.

- JONISAYI MAROMO

The Presidency and the State Attorney seek to recover more than R28 million spent on Zuma's legal battles.

The application stems from a 2024 Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling that found Zuma was not entitled to taxpayer-funded legal support and that the state must be reimbursed.

Zuma's counsel, Advocate Thabani Masuku, told the high court that it is strange that the Presidency and the State Attorney, who previously defended the funding of Zuma's legal woes vociferously, now turn around and want him to repay the same money.

"When the DA and EFF challenged the decisions of the state (to pay Zuma's legal fees), there were two options available to the state - to relook at their decisions and to do what is called self-review, to say we have looked at the challenges coming to us, self-review and we think we were wrong. Mr Zuma took refuge in that, to say they are standing in their position."