×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Spy tapes cost taxpayers over R1m

Taxpayers have had to pay over R1 million in the court case involving the DA trying to gain access to the so-called spy tapes.

"An amount of R1,262,479.70 has been paid to date in respect of costs incurred in defending litigation brought by the Democratic Alliance for the record from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in relation to the NPA's decision with regard to the president," President Jacob Zuma said in written reply to a parliamentary question on Monday.

"The recordings represent one aspect of the litigation instituted by the Democratic Alliance. The amount paid is a reflection of the costs of the entire matter, and not only in respect of the recordings," Zuma said.

The tapes, and transcripts and other documents, relate to a 2009 NPA decision to drop corruption charges against Zuma.

Zuma has been granted leave to appeal the ruling in August that the NPA lodge the tapes with the registrar of the High Court in Pretoria within five working days.