Jacob Zuma says a court order requiring him to repay R28.9 million in state-funded legal fees could undermine his right to a fair trial in the arms deal corruption case, arguing he cannot repay the money and still fund his defence.

The repayment order flows from an earlier Pretoria High Court ruling that the state’s payment of his private legal costs was unlawful, with the state able to pursue recovery steps if he does not pay.