Taxpayers fork out millions to prevent release of spy tapes

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 The presidency has revealed that more than R1.2 million had been spent on legal costs to prevent the release of the so-called spy tapes that led to corruption charges being withdrawn against president Jacob Zuma.

The Democratic Alliance launched court action to get the tapes released publicly.

In a written reply to a parliamentary question from the Congress of the People, the presidency said to date an amount of R1.262 million had been paid in respect of costs incurred in defending litigation brought by the DA for the so-called spy tapes.

It says the amount paid is a reflection of the costs of the entire matter, and not only in respect of the recordings.