DA leader Mmusi Maimane says the Pretoria High Court ruling ordering former president Jacob Zuma to pay his own legal costs should serve as a warning to everyone implicated in State Capture.
The North Gauteng High Court ruled in favour of the DA on Thursday.
The Democratic Alliance had filed papers in March asking the court to set aside an agreement Zuma signed with the Presidency in 2006 that the State would continue paying his legal fees.
The Economic Freedom Fighters later joined the DA in the fight to have this agreement declared unlawful.
During arguments, Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi for the EFF, said Zuma's legal fees to date were closer to R32.2 million.
Judge Aubrey Ledwaba also ruled that the State attorney has to compile and complete accounting of all legal costs that were incurred by Zuma in his personal capacity.
Maimane said Zuma has 90 days to account to the country about how much was spent on his legal fees - which also includes civil applications.
"It's a very important judgement because it warns all the people involved in State Capture and all other cases that the people of South Africa will not pay their litigation and their costs when it comes to criminal matters," said Maimane.
FILE PHOTO: Leon Lestrade / African News Agency (ANA)
