Former president Jacob Zuma’s order to repay R28.9 million to the state has drawn mixed reactions across the political spectrum.
The Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria has given Zuma 60 days to repay the money, with interest, that the state spent on his legal fees in the arms deal case.
If he fails to meet the deadline, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party) leader’s assets may be attached and sold.
POLITICAL WORLD REACTS
Zuma’s legal defeat has sharply divided opinion, with some celebrating the move and others opposing it. The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomed the ruling as “a victory for the country”, saying it protects taxpayers’ money.
“Since 2018, Zuma has evaded repaying millions in legal fees that 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,” said the DA.
Celebrating the move, the political party stated that it joined the court case to ensure the money is repaid, saying it is committed to rooting out state capture.
Former EFF member of Parliament (MP) Mbuyiseni Ndlozi echoed similar sentiments on X, declaring: “He must pay back the money!”
Freedom Front Plus (FF+) member Renaldo Gouws described the ruling on his YouTube channel as “a great victory for South Africa”
“There really aren’t untouchables, it seems, where for many, many years in the judicial system, these people just got off scot-free because they were in politics or they held senior positions,” added Gouws.
MK PARTY MEMBERS OPPOSE RULING
However, members of the MK Party have strongly opposed the decision. MK Party Member of Parliament, Andile Mngxitama, questioned the ruling.
The MK Party, however, has rejected the decision. MK MP Andile Mngxitama criticised what he called a double standard.
He said: “How does this work? The state paid over R15 million in legal fees for Wouter ‘Dr Death’ Basson, a mass murderer but now they want former President Jacob Zuma to pay back state-provided legal fees? Make it make sense, please!”
Zuma’s political party is expected to brief the media following the judgment.
