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A Pretoria High Court has ordered former South African President Jacob Zuma to repay approximately $1.6 million to the Office of the State Attorney for legal fees accrued over the years in his private litigation, including interest. Judge Anthony Millar gave Zuma a strict 60-day deadline to settle the debt, authorizing the seizure of his assets—including his presidential pension—if he fails to pay. This judgment reinforces prior court decisions that public funds cannot be used for a leader’s personal legal battles. The ruling adds another layer to Zuma’s extensive legal challenges, which include a prior prison sentence for contempt of court and ongoing corruption charges. This development ensures taxpayers are no longer footing the bill for his personal litigation, marking a firm stance on accountability.
AP