State attorneys have sharply criticized former president Jacob Zuma’s persistent legal challenges against court orders requiring him to repay R28.9 million in taxpayer-funded legal costs from his corruption trial. They dismissed his latest efforts as “desperate” and “a futile waste of time.”
Zuma has been contesting a 2018 High Court ruling that declared the state’s funding of his legal fees in corruption cases—linked to the multibillion-rand arms deal—unlawful. The court ordered him to reimburse the money, a decision later upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in 2021. The Constitutional Court also refused to hear his appeal, leaving the ruling final.
Despite these setbacks, Zuma recently filed a rescission application in the High Court, seeking to overturn the judgment. His legal team claims he was denied a fair opportunity to defend himself and insists the repayment order should be scrapped.
However, the State Attorney’s office has accused Zuma of using delay tactics to avoid accountability. In court filings, they argued that his application lacks legal merit and constitutes an abuse of the judicial process.
“Mr. Zuma’s actions are nothing more than a desperate attempt to subvert final court rulings. His repeated litigation serves no purpose other than to stall accountability and drain judicial resources,” the State Attorney’s team stated.
Legal analysts agree that Zuma’s chances of success are minimal, given that higher courts have already rejected his appeals. “Rescission applications are granted only under exceptional circumstances, such as procedural errors or lack of notice. Zuma had ample opportunity to present his case,” said constitutional law expert Lawson Naidoo.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU), responsible for recovering the funds, has also voiced frustration over Zuma’s defiance. “The highest courts have settled this matter. It’s time for him to repay the money,” said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
Zuma, who faces separate legal battles—including a private prosecution case against prosecutor Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan—has repeatedly claimed he is the target of a political witch hunt. His legal woes continue as he prepares for his long-pending corruption trial tied to the 1999 arms deal.
The High Court is expected to rule on Zuma’s latest application in the coming weeks. However, legal experts predict another defeat, reinforcing the State Attorney’s stance that his efforts are merely a delaying tactic.
