Former president Jacob Zuma, who has been accused of raiding state coffers, has asked South Africans to help pay his legal fees.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation yesterday made a public appeal for financial support.
“Dear People of South Africa and the world. Please lend a helping hand. We humbly request for donations support to help cover the legal fees of our patron,” the foundation said on its Twitter account, along with banking details.
While some mense sympathised with Zuma and pledged support, others chastised him.
“I'm waiting for my R350 at the beginning of September but I will definitely throw in R50 for ubaba u Jacob Zuma,” said one Twitter user.
But another reckoned: “He had a chance to show leadership ... days before looting and tell his supporters to behave but he refused. Zuma is not a leader.”
Dear People of South Africa and the world.
— JGZuma Foundation (Official) (@JGZ_Foundation) August 24, 2021
Please lend a helping hand. pic.twitter.com/3pbLL6iccL
The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province, said:“It is absolutely absurd that he was charged for allegedly stealing public funds and is now asking the public for money to help with his legal fees. It is unbelievable,” DA MP Haniff Hoosen told African News Agency.
Zuma who is serving a 15-month jail term for contempt of the Constitutional Court, is entangled in several court cases and is using a high-powered delegation led by Advocate Dali Mpofu SC and Advocate Thabani Masuku SC.
He is also facing a hefty bill of R18.2 million after it was ruled that the State was not obliged to fund him for his corruption trial and ordered him to pay back the money.