FORMER President Jacob Gedleyehlekisa Zuma has been hit hard: in the pocket.
He has been ordered to repay a staggering R28m by the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, on Wednesday afternoon.
The ruling ordered he must pay back the money incurred during his private litigation over the years amounting to R28.9 million.
The interest is on R18.9 million, running from 25 January 2024 to the date of payment.
uBaba Zuma is up against the Presidency and State Attorney, who demand the payment of legal fees.
Counsel for former Pres Zuma questioned why he should face the brunt, while the state officials who in the first place unlawfully granted him the money for his defence are not being held accountable.
While the Presidency did not ask for interest to be calculated on the R28 million, the DA, who is also an applicant in this application, insisted on this.
Advocate Sean Rosenberg, acting for the DA, also argued that if the court ordered him to repay this amount and he cannot, the court should order that his pension should be attached to ensure payment of the debt.
Judge Anthony Millar questioned how Zuma was going to live if his pension was taken.
“Mr Zuma is in his 80s. Is it appropriate for the court to make such an order?” the judge questioned.
SC Avvakoumides said Zuma used these funds to litigate on a luxurious scale.
He told the court that they are not unsympathetic towards Zuma, as he was advised that he was entitled to public funding, which he received until it was stopped. But, he said, Zuma benefitted, and the rule of law must prevail.
It was also ordered that in the event that Zuma fails to satisfy the judgment debt in this matter within 60 days of the date of the court’s order, the State Attorney is directed to have a writ of execution issued by the Registrar of this Court for the attachment and sale of his immovable and/or movable properties to satisfy the judgment debt.
This includes his presidential pension benefit, or portion thereof, if required and subject to an order of court authorising that such attachment order can be issued.
Judge Millar also ordered that the State Attorney must report on affidavit, to the court within three months of the date of the order, and thereafter every three months until Zuma’s debt is paid.
The State Attorney must report to the court on the steps it has taken to obtain the money or the steps it intends to take to get the money.
The former Pres is also liable for the legal fees related to this application.
The judgment has been reserved.
Image (Hawu. Former State Pres Jacob Zuma to fork out R28m on State legal fees).
