The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has ordered former South African President Jacob Zuma to repay the State Attorney R28.9 million in legal fees for his long-running arms deal trial.
Zuma and French arms deal trader Thales face charges of corruption, fraud, and racketeering. Zuma is alleged to have received 783 suspicious payments to the tune of R1.2 million from his financial advisor, Shabir Shaik.
Zuma and Thales were first charged in 2005, but the case was later struck from the roll. In 2007, it was reinstated, but in 2009, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) withdrew the charges when Zuma was elected head of state. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) overturned that decision, and in 2018, the case was reinstated. The trial officially began in May 2021, when Zuma pleaded not guilty.
In March 2024, Zuma lost his court bid to have state prosecutor Advocate Billy Downer removed from his corruption trial, claiming that Downer’s involvement in the matter would infringe his right to a fair trial.
Moreover, earlier this year, Thales filed an application to have its charges dropped in the trial.
On Wednesday, October 22, the court ruled that the payments violated principles of public accountability and the rule of law. Zuma has 60 days to settle the debt. If he fails, the State Attorney has been instructed to begin asset attachment proceedings, which could include his presidential pension, subject to further judicial oversight.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have mounted legal challenges over the years to hold Zuma accountable.
Reacting to the ruling, the Democratic Alliance called it a victory for South Africa and the protection of taxpayer money.
“Since 2018, Zuma has evaded repaying millions in legal fees the state should not have paid on his behalf. Zuma has benefited from this R28.9 million in taxpayer money over the past seven years,” the party said.
