Anti-graft watchdog delays report after Zuma court application
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Application
Jo’burg, Oct. 14, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) South Africa’s anti-graft watchdog has deferred release of a report into allegations of political interference by friends of South Africa’s President pJacob Zuma.
A court application by Zuma had obliged Thuli Madonsela, Head of the agency that has spearheaded investigation of alleged involvement of an Indian-born family into political affairs.
This was to delay the release of the report that had been due on Friday, her last day in office.
The court will now hear Zuma’s case on Oct. 18 for more time to review details and to question the witnesses.
Madonsela has called a news conference for later in the day after publishing a list of 23 cases on which she would report”, saying “agreement in court requires us to wait till Tuesday.”
The list did not mention the Gupta family at the centre of the investigation into whether top political decisions, including cabinet appointments, have been unduly influenced.
Both the family, which has wide-ranging business interests in South Africa, and the president have denied any wrongdoing.
Zuma applied for that order on Thursday on the grounds that he had not had the chance to question witnesses and review any evidence that implicated him.
However, the ruling party had said earlier that it supported the release of the report despite the court bid by Zuma to block it.
Zizi Kodwa, spokesman for Zuma’s ruling African National Congress (ANC), said it was in favour of Madonsela releasing her findings, including information on the Guptas.
However, critics of Zuma have express the fear that the deferment of the release of the report. could lead to a watering down of its conclusions.
The critics said that they fear that the delay in the report could be further extended and its content diminished with the end of Madonsela’s tenure.
The claims of undue influence have become known as “state capture”.
“From our point of view, we are looking forward to the report because the allegations of corporate state capture are very serious.
“For us whether it is today, or any other day, we are looking forward to the release of the report,’’ Kodwa said.
He said that he was not surprised that Zuma had sought a court order to block the report, as that was his right.
On Friday, Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Des van Rooyen also filed a court application to block the release of the report. (Reuters/NAN)
Edited by Damilola Oyewole/Julius Enehikhuere