Personal liability for legal costs: Here’s why Zuma is in serious trouble

Former president Jacob Zuma has been ordered to cover his own legal fees relating to the review of the state capture application – this has opened the floodgates.

For far too long Zuma has managed to evade personal accountability by shifting his legal fees onto government’s tab – effectively forcing the taxpayer to cover his costs, in what has become a case of bitter retribution.

Zuma’s tenure as president of South Africa was marred by controversy, in particular, his dubious dealings with the infamous Gupta family in relation to state capture. It’s been reported that the corruption and malfeasance bred under Zuma’s term cost South Africa R1 Trillion.

As a country, South Africa is still embattled by the wounds inflicted upon state owned enterprises, and the economy in general, at the hands of Jacob Zuma. Still, the former president denies that state capture exists and has argued that his term was ‘positive and truthful’.

Coupled with his infamous laugh, Zuma’s invincibility has endured serious scrutiny without practical atonement. Yet, the recent ruling, delivered by the North Gauteng High Court, has dented the former president’s armour of unaccountability.

Zuma fighting the courts

Zuma is currently facing 16 charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and racketeering which emanate from his alleged involvement in the notorious arms deal.

The South African taxpayer has had to foot the bill for these court costs.

Still, the glimmer of hope provided to the taxpayer through the recent High Court verdict has the propensity to make things incredibly uncomfortable for Zuma. Up until now, Zuma has managed to stave off practical personal repercussions by turning the courts at every opportunity. This has drained the already unsteady budget of much-needed funds.

But Zuma finally met his match when he ordered a costly review of Thuli Mandonsela’s state capture report and remedial action recommendations.

Personal costs cloud Zuma’s bravado

Opposition parties who have been resolute in the fight against Zuma’s exorbitant state-carried legal fees have estimated that Friday’s High Court ruling cost Zuma an estimated R10 million.

It’s important to note that Zuma has a massive legal team which costs the state anywhere between R160,000 and R290,000 a day.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has said that Zuma has left government with a R15 million legal bill, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) argue that the amount is closer to R32 million.

Either way, what is clear is that the latest landmark ruling will surely open the floodgates of personal accountability relating to Zuma’s costly legal bill. Losing millions of rands is sure to sting Zuma’s bank account but won’t make the former president a pauper.

However, it’s well known that landmark rulings, such as the one delivered on Friday, set a precedent for further litigative endeavours. It’s likely that, using the High Court’s verdict as a yardstick, Zuma will be made to cover his own legal costs relating to a flurry of ongoing cases.

Furthermore, the latest ruling proves that Zuma is not above the courts – as was previously insinuated. In light of the fierce criminal charges faced by the former president – which could soon multiply as a result of the damning evidence brought before the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture – South Africans can afford to have a renewed sense of hope in the judicial process that has the propensity to see Zuma burdened by costs and even face time behind bars.