The Democratic Alliance has filed papers in the Constitutional Court to oppose former president Jacob Zuma’s latest attempt to avoid repaying nearly R29 million in personal legal costs funded by the State.

The 84-year-old Zuma, who served as president of South Africa from 2009 to 2018, has a long and notorious history of drawn-out legal battles. He is again seeking leave to appeal after both the High Court and the Supreme Court of Appeal refused him permission. The DA argues his application has no reasonable prospects of success and raises no genuine constitutional issue.

The matter centres on a 2018 ruling by a unanimous full bench of the High Court which found Zuma liable to repay amounts the State had paid on his behalf for personal legal costs in his criminal prosecution and related litigation. That judgment was upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2021.

“This matter has already been decided,” said Ashor Sarupen, chairperson of the DA Federal Council, in a statement released on Tuesday.

“Zuma is now trying to reopen a question that the courts have already settled. He is not entitled to do so.”

Following the court rulings, the State Attorney was required to quantify the amount owed and recover the money. After what the DA described as a considerable delay, the State Attorney produced an accounting showing the total amount paid was R28 960 774.34. The High Court subsequently ordered Zuma to repay this amount with interest.

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Sarupen emphasised the principle at stake in the case.

“This case is about a simple principle: public money must be used for the public, not to fund the private legal battles of powerful politicians,” he said.

“No person, including a former president, is above the law. Zuma received an unlawful benefit from the State. He must pay it back.”

The DA has criticised what it describes as years of Zuma using litigation to delay accountability.

“For years, South Africans have watched Zuma use litigation to delay accountability. The DA will not allow this matter to be dragged out indefinitely whilst taxpayers are left to carry the cost,” Sarupen said.

The party has asked the Constitutional Court to dismiss Zuma’s application for leave to appeal, with costs.

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