The JG Zuma Foundation has expressed strong disapproval following a controversial decision by the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, which ordered former President Jacob Zuma to repay R28.9 million in legal fees. These fees, incurred during his numerous private legal battles, have sparked a political storm and could grow further due to accruing interest.
The court, led by Judge Anthony Millar, has given Zuma 60 days to settle the debt. Should he fail to do so, the State Attorney is authorised to seize assets, including Zuma’s home and a portion of his pension, to recover the amount owed.
In response to the ruling, the JG Zuma Foundation issued a statement criticising what it called a “contradiction” in the court’s decision. While the court acknowledged that the State had acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally in covering Zuma’s legal costs, it nonetheless held him personally responsible for the resulting financial burden.
The Foundation argued that it was unjust to impose liability on Zuma for a situation that stemmed from unlawful actions by the State, calling the decision paradoxical.
The ruling has sparked debate across South Africa, with many questioning the broader implications for the relationship between former leaders and the state, and whether it sets a precedent for similar cases in the future.