Zuma Wants Ramaphosa to Write Off His R29 Million Debt as Legal Battle Takes Another Turn

Former South African president Jacob Zuma has reportedly approached President Cyril Ramaphosa, requesting that the government consider writing off his outstanding legal debt owed to the state.

The development has attracted attention following Zuma’s continued legal battle over millions of rand spent by the government on his personal legal representation.

Through his spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, Zuma has reportedly criticised the Constitutional Court’s decision not to entertain his latest legal challenge concerning the repayment of his legal fees.

The Constitutional Court’s refusal to grant him direct access or entertain certain applications has been a significant obstacle in his efforts to challenge the financial consequences of previous court decisions.

The matter dates back several years, when courts ruled that the state should not have paid for Zuma’s personal legal expenses arising from his criminal prosecution and related litigation.

In October 2025, the Pretoria High Court ordered Zuma to repay R28,960,774.34 to the State Attorney, together with interest. The court also authorised steps to recover the money through the attachment and sale of his assets if he failed to comply with the order.

His presidential pension benefit could also be considered as part of the recovery process, subject to the applicable legal procedures.

Zuma’s reported request to Ramaphosa introduces another dimension to the ongoing dispute. He is understood to be seeking relief from the financial obligation and access to his presidential pension without the outstanding debt hanging over him.

However, the request raises questions about whether the executive has the authority to simply write off an amount that has already been confirmed through court proceedings.

If Ramaphosa declines the request, Zuma could potentially seek written reasons for the decision and explore further legal avenues. Any subsequent challenge would, however, have to satisfy the relevant legal requirements.

The political implications are also attracting attention, particularly given the strained relationship between Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) and the current ANC-led government.

Nevertheless, suggestions that the dispute is part of a broader political strategy to delay repayment until a future change in government remain speculation and should not be treated as established fact.

For South Africans, the central issue remains the recovery of public funds. The R28.96 million principal amount ordered by the High Court, excluding interest, represents money taxpayers’ ultimately expected to recover.

The latest development therefore leaves Zuma’s legal debt and his reported request for presidential intervention firmly in the spotlight.

https://x.com/Constitution_94/status/2121667451779719277?a=LDd-05oh7mGEG4Z0ChE&s=19

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