Zuma to appeal court ruling ordering him to repay nearly R29m in state-funded legal fees

Former President Jacob Zuma is set to challenge a court judgment ordering him to pay back a hefty R29 million legal bill in the long-running arms deal corruption case.

Zuma suffered a setback in the Gauteng High Court last week after it ruled that he was personally liable for the legal expenses.

Zuma had argued the state was justified in paying his legal bill because the corruption charges arose from actions performed in his capacity as a government official.

The court also ordered that interest must be paid on this amount, which is expected to run into millions.

If Zuma fails to settle the fees within a 60-day deadline, the state attorney has the go-ahead to attach and sell his assets, as well as his presidential pension.

Spokesperson for the Jacob Zuma Foundation, Mzwanele Manyi, has cried foul.

"Indeed, HE President Zuma is entitled to consider pursuing a damages claim against the State for the immense financial and personal harm he continues to endure because of this injustice. President Zuma will continue to fight this case, we’ll see where it takes us but he will appeal this judgment."