South Africa’s (SA) former President Jacob Zuma could lose his pension if he fails to repay $1.6 million of state funds spent on his legal fees.
The High Court in Pretoria ordered Zuma to pay interest on the money accumulated over 20 years within sixty days. If he fails to do so, his assets or pension will be attached.
Zuma’s legal team argued that the funds were paid to his legal representatives based on the government’s own legal advice.
However, Judge Anthony Millar granted permission to the state attorney to seek a writ of execution against Zuma’s immovable or movable assets should he fail to make the repayment.
The ruling follows a 2021 Supreme Court of Appeal decision that found the state was not liable for Zuma’s legal costs related to his long-running corruption and fraud case. The charges stem from the 1999 arms deal and other cases instituted against him in his personal capacity.
–ChannelAfrica–
