In a major ruling, a South African court has instructed former President Jacob Zuma to return more than one million euros in state funds that were used to pay for his private legal battles.
Zuma, who left office in 2018 amid widespread corruption scandals, has been given 60 days to refund the money.
The long-running case dates back several years, with Zuma’s lawyers arguing in 2021 that he should not be personally held responsible for the expenses. However, the Pretoria High Court decided otherwise, ruling that Zuma unlawfully used public funds to finance legal cases linked to corruption allegations against him.
Should Zuma fail to make the repayment within the two-month period, authorities could move to freeze his presidential pension.
Reacting to the decision, Zuma said he would consult with his legal advisers before taking further action.
The opposition Democratic Alliance, South Africa’s second-largest party, praised the judgment, saying it was a victory for accountability and the rule of law, and expressed hope that Zuma would honor the court’s order.
