Former president Jacob Zuma is in for another defeat, on Tuesday morning the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in Bloemfontein dismissed Zuma's appeal against a judgment which ruled that the state is not liable to cover his legal costs.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) as well as the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) took Zuma to court demanding that he pay back the money the state used to pay for his legal representation. In 2018 The Pretoria high court ruled that  the state was not liable to cover Zuma's fees in his fraud and corruption related charges. The High Court then ordered the former president to pay back the R16 million which the state used to pay for his legal fees. 

Today Zuma approached the SCA with hopes that the judge would over turn this ruling. However the odd were once again against him. Following todays rulling in a statement the DA said they welcome the  ruling by the SCA confirming that former President Jacob Zuma must pay back the money that the State spent on his personal legal costs.

"The DA previously obtained an order to this effect from the High Court, which Mr. Zuma then took to the SCA on appeal. Today’s judgment dismissed Mr. Zuma’s appeal and confirms that the State Attorney is only obliged to act if it is in the Government’s or the public’s interest to do so. This was Mr. Zuma’s personal legal battle and he had no right to fund it with tax-payer money.

The DA takes strong exception to any abuse of public funds by current or former public officials, including former Presidents.
Mr. Zuma’s tenure in office was disastrous for South Africa, its economy, and our hard-won democracy. We are still reeling from the effects of State Capture and the hollowing out of public institutions that accompanied it. This a victory not for the DA alone, but for all South Africans, our Constitution and the Rule of Law." Said DA Federal Leader  John Steenhuisen.