Public coughs up R8.8 million for Zuma's lawyer

President Jacob Zuma's private lawyer, Michael Hulley has been paid R8.8 million by the Department of Justice since 2009, according to a reply to a DA parliamentary question. 

The reply by the Minister of Justice, Jeff Radebe, reveals that Michael Hulley has been paid this amount defending Zuma in the Arms Deal and Spy Tapes matters. This is not necessarily all for his fees, and includes the fees of counsel. The Minister studiously avoided answering the question as to what rate Hulley was paid at, choosing instead to quote the general rates of advocates only.

This amount would also appear to be in addition to the R2.3 million revealed in an earlier question to the Presidency. 

The DA will submit follow-up questions to:

• Ascertain what portion of that R8.8 million was for Hulley's fees; 
• Re-submit our question regarding the rate at which Hulley is paid; and
• Clarify if this amount is in addition to the R2.3 million referred to in the response from the Presidency. 

A previous reply has indicated that Hulley is employed on a part-time basis as the President's Special Legal Adviser, at a rate of just under R700.00 per hour. This is a very low rate for a senior attorney, but perhaps he is making up for that by ensuring that the President's work is referred to his firm at a more lucrative rate. 

The amount of money that is being spent on President Zuma's legal fees is an insult to all South Africans who are forced to pay for this ever-increasing legal bill, especially given that many people are unable to afford legal services.

It is time for the President to stop wasting taxpayers' time and money and face his charges.

Statement issued by Debbie Schafer MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development, November 20 2013

Text of reply:

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NO: 2857

Mrs. D A Schäfer (DA) to ask the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development:

Whether a certain person (Michael Hulley of Hulley and Associates) has been paid by his department in the (a) 2009-10, (b) 2010-11, (c) 2011-12 and (d) 2012- 13 financial years; if so, (i) what amount was the specified person (aa) paid in each financial year and (bb) paid in respect of each specific matter, (ii) in what capacity was said person paid and (iii) at what rate respectively?

NW3406E

REPLY:

I wish to draw attention of the Honourable Member to the table below, in answering her question:

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