By Dylan Bettencourt
- The Pretoria High Court ordered Jacob Zuma to repay R28.9-million in legal fees within 60 days or face asset seizures.
- The DA also won a court order forcing the State Attorney to report every three months on recovery progress.
Jacob Zuma has 60 days to repay nearly R29-million in taxpayers’ money that was used to fund his corruption trial defence.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ruled that the former president is personally responsible for the R28,960,774.34, plus interest, confirming an earlier decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA).
Zuma had argued that the SCA ruling did not make it clear that he had to repay the funds himself. But Judge Anthony Millar dismissed that claim.
“It was readily apparent that the repayment order was made in respect of Mr Zuma personally,” said Millar.
The court ordered Zuma to repay the money to the State Attorney with interest. It also approved the DA’s request for detailed interest amounts to be added to the bill.
If Zuma fails to pay within 60 days, the State Attorney can apply for a writ to seize and sell his property, including his pension, if a court agrees it’s fair.
The DA also secured an order requiring the State Attorney to report every three months on how it is recovering the funds.
Zuma was also ordered to pay the DA’s legal costs in the case.
Pictured above: Former president Jacob Zuma.
Image source: File
