The presidency has yet to decide whether the taxpayer will foot the bill for former deputy president Jacob Zuma's defence costs in his corruption trial.

In a written reply to a question from Democratic Alliance MP Sheila Camerer tabled in parliament yesterday, Mbeki disclosed that Zuma had asked for the costs of a senior advocate, a junior advocate and an attorney to be covered.

Zuma reportedly has four senior advocates in his team, two junior counsel and three attorneys.

The Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust is also responsible for raising funds to cover his legal costs, which according to some estimates may top R12 million.

Mbeki said Zuma's request was still under consideration.

Zuma is to stand trial on July 31 for alleged corruption.

Mbeki disclosed in December that the state had forked out R1.02m to fund the legal costs of the then deputy president Zuma, relating to the watching brief in the corruption trial of his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik.

Advocate Neil Tuchten was paid R230 736, advocate Mohamed Patel R681 471.85, attorney Julekha Mahomed R77 148.98 and Woodhead Bigby and Irving Inc R31 573.58.

"As previously indicated, the presidency agreed to fund a watching brief for the former deputy president on the basis that ... the majority of allegations that had to be answered in court involved him directly and may have involved him in a government capacity," Mbeki said.

Both Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and ANC chief whip Mbulelo Goniwe are on record in the national assembly as saying that if the state was expected to pay for the legal costs of people like Wouter Basson and Magnus Malan, then it could not be faulted for picking up Zuma's tab.

Zuma's rape trial begins in Johannesburg on Monday. The alleged rape occurred in November last year, after Zuma was fired as deputy president and the state will therefore not be expected to bankroll his defence.

With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal and the Cape Times.