Overview

• The Presidency and State Attorney argued in the High Court in Pretoria for recovery of more than R28 million paid for Jacob Zuma’s private legal defence.
• Advocate Thabani Masuku, for Zuma, urged the court to revisit the fairness of the repayment orders, saying state officials’ unlawful conduct and advice created the liability.
• State counsel George Avvakoumides said earlier High Court and Supreme Court of Appeal decisions require repayment, the amount has been calculated, and there is no valid defence.
• The Democratic Alliance pressed for interest to be added and for Zuma’s pension to be attached if he cannot repay, prompting Judge Anthony Millar to question how such an order would affect his ability to live and support dependants.
• Zuma’s team warned enforcement could cost him his pension and home, the state signaled readiness to enforce recovery, and the judge reserved judgment.