Former president and leader of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) Jacob Zuma is set to address the media on Thursday just a day after being ordered by the Gauteng High Court to pay back R28.9 million to the state.
The money had been spent on legal fees for Zuma. The court has ordered the former president to pay up within 60 days of the date of the court order, failing which the State Attorney is directed to have a writ of execution issued by the Registrar of this Court for the attachment and sale in execution of Zuma’s property.
Judge Anthony Millar also ordered that his State pension – or a portion of it – can be attached to assist in footing the bill for his legal fees. The judge further ordered that interest should be added to some of his debt, calculated from last year up until he has paid the debt.
Hours after the judgment was handed down, the MKP said in a media alert that Zuma will “address the nation on the MK Party’s latest developments”.
The alert does not indicate whether Zuma will speak on the court’s ruling or other matters but said it was an “important event”.
Last week when the court case was argued, his advocate Thabani Masuku said his client was not granted the money through corruption, but that the legal fees were paid from the State coffers due to incorrect legal advice.
It was also stated that Zuma does not have the means to pay,
The order follows an application by the Presidency, the State Attorney and the Democratic Alliance (DA) for Zuma to pay the money previously paid for by the State towards his legal costs incurred and relating to his criminal prosecution and litigation instituted against him in his personal capacity.
Two courts – three judges of the Gauteng Division as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal ruled that Zuma, personally, had to pay back his legal fees. The Supreme Court of Appeal’s confirmation in April 2021 was followed with a letter of demand for repayment of R18.2 million addressed to Zuma. However, subsequently, in its preparation for the present proceedings, the State discovered an additional R10,699,426 that was owed.
The judge said that he was bound by the decision of the two courts that Zuma had to pay the money back.
Reacting to the judgment, DA national spokesperson Willie Aucamp said it was a victory for South Africa and the protection of taxpayer money.
“We look forward to seeing Mr Zuma repay what he owes South Africa, starting with this first amount of R28.9-milllion plus interest thereon. A report must be furnished to the Court on the progress of the recovery, so that South Africans are kept abreast thereof.”
THE MERCURY
