Zuma Seeks Appeal Permission for R28.9m Repayment Order

Zelda Venter Former President Jacob Zuma plans to approach the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on December 1, 2025, seeking permission to ap...

Zelda Venter

Former President Jacob Zuma plans to approach the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on December 1, 2025, seeking permission to appeal the recent ruling that required him to reimburse funds spent on his personal legal battles over the years—totaling just over R28.9 million.

Judge Anthony Millar previously directed Zuma to make this payment to the State Attorney,as well as pay interest calculated at the specified rate, amounting to millions.However, Zuma's legal team stated shortly after the ruling that they will not let the issue rest, arguing that he should not be burdened with the significant legal costs, as the State Attorney initially agreed to cover these expenses, but later changed its position and determined that he was not eligible for state funding.

Advocate Thabani Masuku, representing Zuma, informed the high court last month that it is unusual for the Presidency and the State Attorney, who had previously strongly supported the funding of Zuma's legal expenses, to now demand he return the same funds.

He informed Judge Anthony Millar that Zuma is a victim of "unconstitutional violence."Judge Millar granted Zuma 60 days to clear his debt. If he fails to do so, the State Attorney must instruct the Court Registrar to issue a writ of execution for the seizure and sale of his immovable and/or movable assets to settle the judgment debt.

This encompasses his presidential pension allowance, or part of it, if necessary and contingent upon a court order permitting the issuance of such an attachment.Judge Millar further directed the State Attorney to submit a sworn statement to the court within three months of the order's date., and then every three months thereafter until Zuma's debt is settled.

Zuma's attempt to appeal, however, has frozen these orders until the appeal process concludes. Even if Judge Millar rejects his request for permission to appeal, Zuma will still be able to approach the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) for approval.

The application submitted last month by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the State Attorney, and the Democratic Alliance came after a 2024 SCA decision determined that Zuma was not eligible for publicly funded legal assistance and that the state should be compensated.

Masuku contended that the Presidency and the State Attorney are mistaken in believing that the financial responsibility arising from the SCA decision imposes a legal requirement on Zuma to compensate the state.

He additionally argued that the state "is responsible for this unconstitutional act of violence." As per Masuku, although the SCA stated that the money needed to be repaid, it did not explicitly mention that it had to be taken from Zuma's personal funds.

Masuku characterized the Presidency and State Attorney's actions as "cruel and malicious," contending that it was unfair for the government to seek repayment from Zuma. Ithe stated that he could recover this money from several individuals who benefited, including the lawyers.

Masuku stated that Zuma was "simply a harmless recipient of the funds."The R28.9 million was set aside to pay for Zuma's legal costs while he defended himself against allegations connected to the 1999 arms procurement agreement. This money was utilized for legal counsel and related expenses during the lengthy legal process.

Zuma's request to appeal will be considered virtually by Judge Millar next month.

zelda.venter@inl.co.za

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