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

This is according to President Thabo Mbeki, in reply to a question from Democratic Alliance MP Sheila Camerer tabled in parliament on Tuesday.

Mbeki disclosed for the first time 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, with the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust responsible for also 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 paid R1.02-million for Zuma's legal costs relating to the watching briefing in the corruption trial of his former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.

With acknowledgements to Angela Quintal and The Mercury.