As Zuma’s legal bills mount, he is ‘running out of financial resources’

Former President Jacob Zuma has appealed to South Africans for assistance in paying for his mounting legal fees.

The Jacob G Zuma Foundation, on whose behalf the former president serves as patron, confirmed the authenticity of the request for legal fees donation.

“Yes, in my capacity as the spokesperson of the JG Zuma Foundation, I can confirm that the request below is legit,” said Mzwanele Manyi.

The ex-statesman is currently serving a 15-month prison sentence at Estcourt Correctional Services for contempt of court in the wake of refusing to give testimony during the State Capture Commission chaired by Deputy Justice Raymond Zondo.

The inquiry is investigating charges of wrongdoing throughout his presidency, which lasted from 2009 to 2018.

His hospitalization postponed the start of his corruption trial at the KwaZulu-Natal High Court in Pietermaritzburg.

The case has been rescheduled until September 9 while the state awaits a medical evaluation to determine whether or not the former president is able to stand trial.

The JGZ Foundation recently confirmed that Zuma had received a summons from the State Attorney that the former president pay back R18,2 million for personal legal costs incurred during his tenure as the president of the country.

Zuma was ordered to pay back the money after his appeal at the Supreme Court of Appeal was dismissed.

Among the charges, Zuma is accused of accepting bribes in order for South Africa to clinch a multi-billion-dollar arms deal with French company, Thales in 1999.

Since then, Zuma’s legal team has fought to have the charges dismissed and to get more time to prepare.

Zuma was frequently absent from court during the trial, citing medical reasons and a lack of funds.