Former President Jacob Zuma must repay nearly R29 million in legal fees unlawfully funded by the state, the Pretoria High Court ruled on Wednesday.
The landmark judgment requires Zuma to settle the debt within 60 days or face asset attachment proceedings that could target his presidential pension, subject to judicial oversight.
The court found that state funds were improperly used to cover Zuma’s personal legal costs in criminal and related proceedings, violating principles of public accountability and the rule of law.
The ruling concludes years of litigation spearheaded by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), both parties having pursued accountability for the controversial payments.
The court dismissed arguments from Zuma’s legal team that he bore no personal liability for the repayment, affirming that the order applies directly to the former president.
Should Zuma fail to meet the 60-day deadline, the State Attorney has been instructed to initiate asset attachment proceedings. Interest on the outstanding debt will begin accruing from October 2026.
The State Attorney must provide quarterly reports to the court on recovery efforts, ensuring ongoing judicial oversight of the collection process.
The judgment represents a significant victory for those advocating for accountability in the use of public funds and sets a precedent for the recovery of state resources used for personal legal expenses.
Read the full judgement here.
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