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MK Party leader and former president Jacob Zuma appears before the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 04 December 2025.
Legal analyst Melusi Kulu says the latest court ruling against former President Jacob Zuma marks a significant turning point in how South Africa handles unlawful state-funded legal expenses.
On Thursday, Justice Anthony Millar ruled that Zuma must settle R29 million within 60 days or face having his assets seized.
His ruling also makes it clear that a presidential pension can be legally attached because it falls under the Public Office Payers Act.
Kulu says this sets a precedent for holding public officials accountable.
“Due to the nature of the case, it’s a precedent-breaking case or whether it has created a precedent where we can see clearly what happens when you are a public official and your pension is being attached. The pension that is obtained by the former president is not protected under the Pension Funds Act because it falls under the Public Office Payers Act, which allows for attachment in such cases.”
PODCAST: Melusi Xulu analysis on Zuma being ordered to settle R29 million in legal fees:
