Staff Reporter

Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been ordered by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to repay R28.9 million in state-funded legal fees accumulated over two decades, primarily related to the 1990s Arms Deal.

The judgment, handed down today, mandates the former president to pay the total amount, which includes interest, within 60 days.

Failure to comply will result in the attachment of his assets or pension fund.

The High Court’s ruling settles a long-running legal dispute over the state’s payment of Zuma’s personal legal costs for a case that has spanned nearly 25 years.

The Presidency had sought to recover the funds, arguing that the public purse should not have been responsible for the former leader’s private legal expenses.

Judge Anthony Millar, who presided over the case, granted permission to the state attorney to seek the right of execution over Zuma’s immovable or movable assets should he fail to meet the 60-day repayment deadline.

Zuma’s legal team had contested the claim, arguing in court that the payments to his lawyers were based on the government’s own legal advice at the time.

Despite this defense, the court ruled in favor of the state.

The ruling comes amid a backdrop of major legal and political activity surrounding the former president, including a recent court challenge by the MK Party, which he is associated with, and the ongoing legal skirmishes mentioned in related news reports concerning the state’s relationship with Zuma’s legal funding.