Former President Jacob Zuma faces a severe financial deadline after a Gauteng High Court ruling. The court has ordered him to personally repay R28.9 million used for his legal fees in the arms deal corruption case. This judgment has triggered the resurgence of an old fundraising poster aimed at covering his legal costs....Click to Read More >>➤
The Democratic Alliance (DA) initiated the recovery process. They requested that the State Attorney reclaim the funds spent on Zuma’s protracted legal battles. The court has now given Zuma a strict 60-day window to settle the massive debt. Should he fail, the state is authorized to seize his property and attach his entire presidential pension.
Legal Fees Ruling
The legal confrontation pitted the Presidency and the State Attorney against the former president. They argued that Zuma ignored official correspondence demanding repayment. The state’s position was that Zuma, as a private individual in the corruption case, was not entitled to have his legal bills covered by the public purse.
Zuma’s defense team contested this, maintaining that the state remained liable for his legal costs. They argued this applied both to the long-running arms deal case and other personal legal matters. However, Judge Anthony Millar’s ruling firmly dismissed this argument, solidifying Zuma’s personal financial responsibility.
Old Fundraising Poster Resurfaces
In the wake of the judgment, social media channels have been flooded with a vintage fundraising poster. The poster calls for public donations to assist Zuma with his legal expenses. This highlights the immediate concern among his supporters regarding his ability to meet the court-ordered payment.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation has quickly responded to the poster’s circulation. Its spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, acknowledged the public’s supportive intentions but issued a clear statement. He confirmed that the foundation has not authorized any new fundraising campaigns at this stage.
Official Stance and Public Caution
Manyi urged well-wishers to await an official announcement from the foundation. He explained that the organization is still consulting with Zuma’s legal team to determine a clear path forward following the judgment. He emphasized the need for a coordinated response before any public appeals for funds are made.
The foundation also issued a strong caution to the public. It warned against the unauthorized use of its name, logo, or official stationery. Such actions, the foundation stated, lead to public confusion and misrepresentation. They reiterated that only communications directly from the foundation should be considered legitimate.
Court’s Detailed Judgment
Judge Millar provided a detailed breakdown of the R28.9 million debt. He clarified that the precise amount was calculated after the state tallied all disbursements made under a prior 2018 high court order. The formal demand for repayment was sent to Zuma in two parts.
The first demand, for R18.2 million, was issued on 1 October 2021. A second demand for the remaining R10.7 million followed later. This combined total of R28.9 million formed the basis of the current legal action for recovery. The judge found that Zuma had no valid defense for not repaying the money, leading to the decisive ruling against the former president. ...Click to Read More >>➤
