By Thapelo Molefe
Former president and leader of uMkhonto weSizwe Party Jacob Zuma has been ordered by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to repay the South African government over R28.9 million for legal fees previously funded by the state during his years-long corruption and criminal proceedings.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Judge Anthony Millar ruled that Zuma must reimburse the State Attorney for monies “advanced for his legal fees and associated expenses.”
The order followed an application by the Presidency of the Republic of South Africa, the State Attorney, and the Solicitor-General of the Republic of South Africa to recover the funds.
The court further ordered Zuma to pay interest under the Prescribed Rate of Interest Act, with interest accruing on R18.26 million from 22 October 2021 to 24 January 2024, and on the full R28.96 million from 25 January 2024 until settlement.
Millar further ordered that if Zuma fails to pay the judgment debt within 60 days, the State Attorney must obtain a writ of execution from the court’s Registrar to attach and sell his movable or immovable properties to recover the money.
This may include a portion of Zuma’s presidential pension benefit, subject to separate court authorisation.
In addition, the former president was ordered to pay the legal costs associated with this application.
The court directed the State Attorney to file affidavits every three months, reporting on the steps taken to recover the funds or outlining plans to enforce the judgment until the debt is settled in full.
The ruling marks a significant development in the state’s efforts to reclaim millions spent on Zuma’s personal legal battles, expenses the courts have previously ruled were unlawfully paid using taxpayer money.
Earlier judgments by the Supreme Court of Appeal and the High Court found that the state was not liable for Zuma’s private legal fees, which arose from cases unrelated to his official duties as president.
This latest ruling means Zuma must repay the nearly R29 million plus interest directly to the Office of the State Attorney.
Failure to comply could trigger asset seizures, including properties or pension benefits, to settle the debt.
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