Former South African President Jacob Zuma has been ordered by the High Court in Pretoria to repay about $1.7 million in taxpayer funds used to cover his personal legal expenses – a ruling that could see his assets seized if he fails to comply within 60 days.
Judge Anthony Millar issued the judgment on Wednesday, directing state lawyers to initiate a writ of execution for the attachment and sale of Zuma’s movable and immovable property to satisfy the debt.
The order includes Zuma’s presidential pension benefits, which may be partially or fully garnished.
The ruling stems from a long-running legal battle over Zuma’s alleged use of nearly R29 million in state funds to defend himself in criminal proceedings and related litigation.
The case was brought by the South African government, with support from opposition parties such as the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters.
They argued that Zuma, now leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe party, should personally bear the costs of defending charges brought against him in his individual capacity.
The court’s decision builds on a 2018 ruling that found the state’s funding of Zuma’s legal costs to be unlawful.
Since then, efforts to recover the money have faced repeated delays, with Zuma maintaining that the legal support was justified during his presidency.
The ruling adds to mounting legal pressure on the former president, who continues to face corruption-related charges stemming from his time in office.
