Publication: The Times Issued: Date: 2009-04-04 Reporter: Wisani Wa Ka Ngobeni Reporter:

The high price of investigating an ANC president

 

Publication 

The Times
Date

2009-04-04
Reporter Wisani Wa Ka Ngobeni

Web Link

www.thetimes.co.za



The corruption case against ANC president Jacob Zuma has so far cost the taxpayer well over R60-million.

A senior NPA official told the Sunday Times this week the Zuma case was the most expensive in the history of the prosecuting authority. “I can confirm the cost is well beyond R50-million,” he said.

The Presidency has said it has paid more than R10-million for Zuma’s defence. The state is paying because he was in government at the time of the alleged offences.

NPA spokesman Tlali Tlali said yesterday the cost of the Zuma case would be revealed tomorrow when the NPA announces its decision on whether the charges against Zuma will be dropped.

The investigation against Zuma started seven years ago. Although it has led to the conviction of his former financial adviser Schabir Shaik, the ANC president himself has never set foot in the dock.

The NPA assembled a team of senior prosecutors and Scorpions investigators to focus on the Zuma case. Led by Billy Downer SC, the team travelled beyond the country’s borders in search of evidence.

The biggest cost for the NPA arose from a series of legal challenges brought by Zuma.

One of the senior advocates hired by the NPA, Wim Trengove SC, said yesterday his fees range from R15 000 to R30 000 a day.

With acknowledgements to Wisani Wa Ka Ngobeni and The Times.