Jacob Zuma's Foundation reacts to R28.9m ruling

FORMER President Jacob Zuma will continue to fight for his constitutional rights and to seek justice from fairminded courts that remain true to the principles of our Constitution and he may even seek damages from the State.

- ZELDA VENTER [e-mail]

This is according to the JG Zuma Foundation, which has expressed its deep disappointment and firm protest against last week's Gauteng High Court, Pretoria judgment in which Judge Anthony Millar ordered Zuma to pay back the State R28.9 million in legal fees accumulated by him.

The court also ordered that interest must be paid on this amount, which is expected to run into millions. This is to reimburse the State for the bill it had footed over the years to fund his private lawsuits. Zuma was given 60 days in which to pay the money back.

It was also ordered that in the event that Zuma fails to satisfy the judgment debt in the given time, the State Attorney can attach his assets, including his home and a portion of his pension benefit, to foot the bill.