Zuma's defence has cost R9.7m

2008-08-29 08:17

Michael Hamlyn

Cape Town - The government has so far laid out R9 676 176.21 to pay for the defence of former deputy president Jacob Zuma, according to a reply given to a parliamentary question on Thursday.

Giving a written answer to a question from the leader of the Independent Democrats Patricia de Lille, the Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad said that it was difficult to estimate what the costs would amount to in the future, because the trial has not yet started and because of the anticipated application by Zuma to stay the proceedings.

"It is difficult to determine the duration of the trial considering the postponements and other interlocutory proceedings which might arise," Pahad said.

He also said that since the matter was struck off the roll in September 2007, no further request for payment for the Zuma legal team had been made over and above the first figure mentioned.

- I-Net Bridge (News24)