Relatives of former South African President Jacob Zuma launched on Tuesday August 24 a public campaign to appeal for donations to cover his legal costs.
Read alsoSouth Africa: Zuma's imprisonment triggers riots
"
We humbly ask for the support of donations to help cover our leader's legal costs
," read a poster tweeted by the Jacob Zuma Foundation, accompanied by bank details and a photo of the president speaking into a microphone, fist in the middle. 'air.
“
Dear people of South Africa and around the world, please extend a helping hand
,” read the tweet accompanying the message.
$ 1.1 million in legal costs
Jacob Zuma, 79, is struggling in an old case of corruption linked to an arms contract signed more than twenty years ago when he was vice-president.
The trial began in May after numerous postponements and delays, and Jacob Zuma's next court appearance has been postponed to September 9.
Read alsoSouth Africa: postponement of Jacob Zuma's trial for corruption
In December 2018, a South African court ordered him to reimburse the state for more than a million dollars unduly spent on his legal costs.
According to the presidency, Mr. Zuma's legal costs would have cost the state at least $ 1.1 million (938,000 euros).
The ex-president, who was also ordered to repay $ 20 million in public funds spent on his private residence, said in 2019 he had to sell his hats and socks to pay his attorney fees.
He is currently serving a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of justice after refusing to appear before a corruption commission.