Former South African President Jacob Zuma, who led South Africa from 2009 to 2018, has been told by the Pretoria High Court to pay back R28.9 million (about $1.6 million) that the government spent on his personal legal battles. These costs were tied to corruption and fraud charges, including the infamous 1999 arms deal case.

According to ABC News, Zuma has 60 days to repay the money. If he doesn’t, the court says his presidential pension and personal assets can be seized to cover the debt.

Zuma’s legal team argued that the payments were made based on advice from government lawyers. But the court rejected that, saying the money was used for personal legal defense, not official duties. As reported by eNCA, Zuma claims he’s not personally liable and blames the state attorneys for the decision. But the court ruled that he benefited from public funds and must now return them with interest.

This ruling is the latest chapter in a long legal battle that began in 2018, when the Gauteng High Court first determined that Jacob Zuma must repay the state for legal fees improperly covered by public funds. That decision was upheld in 2021 by the Supreme Court of Appeal, reinforcing the view that taxpayer money should not have been used for Zuma’s personal defense. Now, in 2025, the Pretoria High Court has enforced the repayment order, warning that if Zuma fails to pay within 60 days. This repayment order adds pressure to a man already deep in legal trouble.

The former president of South Africa served in office from 2009 until his resignation in 2018. In 2023/24, after departing from the African National Congress (ANC), he founded a new political party, the uMkhonto weSizwe Party, where he now serves as president.