Zuma in financial dire straits
2006-02-22
Johannesburg - Jacob Zuma is in such deep financial trouble that his legal team had to ask for postponement because he couldn't pay them in time. 
Beeld learnt from a reliable source that Zuma's inability to pay his attorney and three advocates was one of the reasons why his rape hearing was postponed for nearly three weeks at the request of his defence team.
Officially the case was postponed because of new documents, which the State had handed over to the defence.
However, Beeld revealed that Zuma's financial problems were instrumental in the court's decision.
Should Zuma be unable to pay his legal team by March 6 when the case resumes, he might have to apply for legal aid, which could delay the trial for months.
Beeld's sources said the defence mentioned the problem in talks with the State last week, and they were given "sufficient" time to get their house in order.
Michael Hulley, Zuma's attorney, ";categorically" denied on Tuesday that he had problems getting money from Zuma.
"Nothing can be further removed from the truth," said the attorney.
Beeld's information, however, indicates that Zuma's financial troubles were instrumental in the rape case being postponed.
Legal eagles said on Tuesday the rape hearing could easily cost Zuma R1.5m. Two senior advocates and a junior advocate appeared along with Hulley.
An informed source in the justice department said, with reference to the Zuma case, that a lack of money is one of the biggest and most common reasons for the postponement of cases.
"That's usually what it's about. Other reasons are usually secondary.
"It is quite possible that Zuma's legal team would have withdrawn last week Tuesday if the case had not been not postponed," said the source.
Postponement
The source also said it made sense for the State to agree to postponement.
"Should Zuma's legal team withdraw, it would take months for the next team to be appointed and get ready."
Meanwhile, the Friends of Jacob Zuma Trust is not contributing a cent toward the rape case. The trust is only collecting money for the corruption case that started in Durban last year.
Barnabas Xulu, administrator of the Zuma Trust, said on Tuesday that their aim is to collect R12m for the corruption hearing.
They haven't paid anything towards the rape case and have only attended court to "morally" support Zuma.
Xulu said Hulley forwards his invoices for work done on the corruption case to them for payment.
"As we have it, Zuma is responsible for the rape case. He is responsible for costs," said a spokesperson for the trust.
Zuma's financial troubles came to light during the Schabir Shaik trial. A forensic auditor testified that his monthly debits exceeded his salary.
Zuma lost his annual income of R870 000 when he was fired as deputy president. The ANC later announced that it was working on a package for Zuma, but so far it has not been revealed what the deputy leader is being paid.
