Former President Jacob Zuma could have his assets — including his home, vehicles, and even his presidential pension — seized if he fails to repay more than R28.9 million owed to the state for legal fees incurred during his private litigation.
The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria handed down the order this week, directing Zuma to pay R28,960,774.34 to the State Attorney, plus interest on R18.9 million calculated from 25 January 2024 until the date of payment.
Judge Anthony Millar, who delivered the ruling, made it clear that Zuma has 60 days to settle the debt. If he fails to do so, the court authorised the State Attorney to obtain a writ of execution for the attachment and sale of Zuma’s movable and immovable property to recover the outstanding amount.
“This includes his presidential pension benefit, or a portion thereof, if required and subject to a court order authorising such attachment,” the judgment reads.
Judge Millar also ordered the State Attorney to report to the court on affidavit within three months of the order, and thereafter every three months, detailing steps taken — or planned — to recover the debt.
Zuma’s legal team had argued that their client was being unfairly targeted, maintaining that the State itself was responsible for approving and paying his legal costs. Advocate Thabani Masuku SC contended that Zuma had received the payments based on incorrect legal advice provided to the government at the time, and therefore should not be personally liable.
“It is not his fault that they made unlawful payments,” Masuku argued. “It is very odd that the actual perpetrators — the State — are cleared, while Mr Zuma must face the music. He now stands to lose his home and pension because of the State’s error.”
The Democratic Alliance (DA), which brought the case to compel Zuma to repay the money, welcomed the judgment.
“Since 2018, Mr Zuma has evaded repaying millions in legal fees that the State should never have paid on his behalf,” the party said in a statement. “Mr Zuma benefited from R28.9 million in taxpayer money over the past seven years. The court has now agreed that he must repay not only the principal amount but also the interest.”
The DA added that it looks forward to seeing Zuma finally “repay what he owes South Africa.”
Zuma’s legal woes stem from years of court battles — including his failed attempts to stop corruption prosecutions and the state capture commission — which the State had initially funded. In 2018, the courts ruled that the government’s decision to cover those costs was unlawful and ordered Zuma to refund the money.
With this latest order, the clock is ticking. Should Zuma fail to settle the debt within the court’s deadline, the State Attorney will move to attach his assets — potentially marking the first time in democratic South Africa that a former head of state faces the sale of personal property to repay public funds.