What now for Zuma’s legal bills?

Now that the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed former president Jacob Zuma’s bid to avoid paying his legal fees, his options for not paying back the money are limited.

The court order obtained by the DA and EFF that the State Attorney not cover his legal fees was upheld on Tuesday.

Lawson Naidoo from the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution said Zuma can now only lobby the country’s apex court to hear his matter. His chances of success are, however, “non-existent”.

“He has to show what point of law needs to be clarified by the Constitutional Court. It is not an ultimate right of appeal. I do not see him being successful,” Naidoo said. 

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“The Supreme Court of Appeal judgment is very clear, Zuma was clutching at straws in the legal arguments he put forward.” 

According to Naidoo, the SCA has now clarified the basis for how the state attorney can act in extending legal assistance and this does not extend to criminal offences.

He, however, said he would not be surprised if Zuma attempted to appeal to the Constitutional Court.

The order dates back to when Zuma faced prosecution in 2006 on the corruption charges he now faces.

Going back to 2003 when Schabir Shaik was arrested, the court said: “Somewhat surprisingly, Mr Zuma was not indicted together with Mr Shaik (and his corporate entities).”

Additional reporting by Thapelo Lekabe and Amanda Watson