The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ordered former President Jacob Zuma to repay nearly R29 million in state funds used unlawfully for his legal costs, with a 60-day deadline. Failure to comply could lead to the attachment and sale of his assets, including his presidential pension. The ruling stems from a long-standing legal battle over funding related to his corruption cases.
On 22 October 2025, Judge Anthony Millar of the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria issued a judgment directing Jacob Zuma to repay R28,960,774.34 plus interest within 60 days. This amount covers state money spent on Zuma's legal fees and related expenses in his personal capacity, deemed unlawful by prior court decisions.
The order follows a 2018 high court ruling by Deputy Judge President Audrey Ledwaba, which overturned a 2006 agreement between Zuma and former president Thabo Mbeki allowing government funding for Zuma's defense in cases like the 1999 Arms Deal corruption probe. The Supreme Court of Appeal upheld this in 2021, confirming the payments were illegal and requiring recovery.
Zuma's legal team argued he received no direct financial benefit and that the state should pursue officials who authorized the payments. However, Millar rejected these defenses, stating the prior judgments explicitly required Zuma's personal repayment. "There is… simply no other rational interpretation that can be ascribed to the order in question other than that it was intended that Mr Zuma personally will be ordered to repay the R28,960,774.34," the judge ruled.
The application was brought by the state, supported by the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters. The DA hailed it as a victory for taxpayers. National spokesperson Willie Aucamp said, “In every way possible, the DA continues to fight for the rule of law, protection of taxpayer money, and the rooting out of State Capture.”
If Zuma fails to pay, the State Attorney can issue a writ of execution to seize and sell his movable, immovable, and incorporeal property, including his presidential pension. The court granted interest on the debt to compensate for delays and ordered Zuma to cover legal costs for the DA and state, but rejected punitive costs due to the state's own tardiness in enforcement.
To ensure compliance, Millar issued a structural interdict requiring the State Attorney to submit quarterly reports on recovery progress. Aucamp added, “We look forward to seeing Mr Zuma repay what he owes South Africa, starting with this first amount of R28.9-million plus interest thereon. A report must be furnished to the court on the progress of the recovery, so that South Africans are kept abreast thereof.”
Zuma is scheduled to address the media in Durban on 23 October 2025, potentially discussing his response.