The Pretoria High Court has ordered former South African President Jacob Zuma to repay 28.9 million rand (approximately $1.6 million) to the Office of the State Attorney, covering years of legal expenses from his private court battles. The ruling, issued Wednesday, also includes accrued interest on the amount.
Judge Anthony Millar directed Zuma to settle the debt within 60 days, warning that failure to do so would allow the State Attorney to seize his assets, including his presidential pension benefits.
Zuma, who led South Africa from 2009 to 2018, has faced a series of corruption-related cases tied to allegations of misusing state resources for personal legal defense. His legal costs were initially covered by public funds until the courts ruled otherwise. Both the Gauteng High Court in 2018 and the Supreme Court of Appeal in 2021 determined that taxpayers should not shoulder the cost of his private litigation and ordered repayment.
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Court filings reveal that interest on 18.9 million rand (around $1 million) began accumulating from January 25, 2024, until full payment is made.
Zuma’s legal troubles have long overshadowed his political career. In 2021, he served two months in jail for contempt of court after refusing to testify before an inquiry investigating corruption under his presidency. He continues to face multiple charges of corruption, racketeering, fraud, tax evasion, and money laundering linked to a 1999 arms deal involving a French defense company.
After being expelled from the African National Congress in 2024, Zuma launched the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), which contested South Africa’s national elections.
Following Wednesday’s court decision, the MKP announced that Zuma will “address the nation” on Thursday, though no further details were given.
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