PRETORIA – North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday ordered former President Jacob Zuma to repay R28.9 million in state-funded legal expenses, ruling the payments for his personal criminal defense violated constitutional accountability principles.
The judgment enforces a 2018 appellate decision requiring reimbursement of costs accrued during corruption trials and related litigation.
Zuma must pay R18.2 million with retroactive interest from October 2021 and the full R28.9 million with interest from January 2024 until settlement, under the Prescribed Rate of Interest Act.
The court dismissed his argument that officials who authorized the payments should bear liability, citing binding precedents affirming his personal obligation.
State Attorney records show the total includes R10.7 million in additional fees uncovered during enforcement preparations. Democratic Alliance , co-petitioners in the case, secured oversight provisions for repayment tracking.
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