Oh to be a fly on the wall as it may be the only way we’ll get to the truth behind the state capture reports if President Jacob Zuma gets his way. A day before the world was expected to get a glimpse of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report Zuma has filed an urgent court interdict to delay its release. This action, followed by the threats Madonsela received from the Gupta family, only heightens the suspicion of guilt amongst the parties. And one has to wonder what they are trying to hide. As Max du Preez tweeted: “If ever there was a need for a leaked document, it is now. What could be in PP’s report on state capture that has upset Zuma & the Guptas?” It may be the only way the citizens of South Africa get the truth. – Stuart Lowman
From Fin24
Cape Town – Just a day before her final few hours as public protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela has been served by President Jacob Zuma with an urgent court interdict application over her draft report on the state capture investigation.
The presidency confirmed to News24 that it had made the application. This will in all likelihood delay the release of Madonsela’s long-awaited report.
On Monday, Madonsela called Zuma to heel after the presidency released a statement saying it wanted to see the evidence she had gathered.
“Public Protector Madonsela has noted the statement from the Presidency, issued on Monday, October 10, 2016.
“The Public Protector would like to report that President Jacob Zuma was afforded a proper opportunity to tender his evidence since 22/03/2016.
“President Zuma was on Saturday, October 01, 2016, given all copies of evidence implicating him.
“His lawyer raised a request to question witnesses for the first time on Thursday, October 06, 2016 when he was asking for a deferment of the investigation to the next Public Protector.
“It’s of concern to the Public Protector that President has on two occasions undertaken to answer questions and when the time arose, he changed his mind.” – News24
If ever there was a need for a leaked document, it is now. What could be in PP's report on state capture that has upset Zuma & the Guptas?
— Max du Preez (@MaxduPreez) October 13, 2016
Madonsela weighs her options over ‘state capture’ report interdict
By Mahlatse Gallens
Pretoria – Public Protector Thuli Madonsela is weighing her legal options after President Jacob Zuma applied for an interdict to stop her from releasing her “state capture” report.
Madonsela was expected to release the report on Friday, as she officially leaves office after a seven-year tenure.
Her spokesperson, Oupa Segalwe, said on Thursday afternoon that the Public Protector had not yet decided how she was going to deal with the application, but was consulting her legal team.
“There is no interdict, just notice of intention to apply for one,” Segalwe said.
The application is due to be heard on Tuesday in the High Court in Pretoria.
Madonsela is probing whether Zuma had any role in allegations that “his friends”, the Gupta family, had offered Cabinet posts to Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former MP Vytjie Mentor, as well as allegations that the family pressured former Cabinet spokesperson Themba Maseko to give them government tenders.
All three have confirmed the moves made on them by the powerful family and have given evidence to Madonsela.
Zuma this week demanded that Madonsela give his lawyers access to the witnesses, and questioned her “hurry” to release the report.
The Gupta family also warned her to release the report at her “own peril”.
Shortly before the news broke, EFF leader Julius Malema confirmed that he has also made submissions to the Public Protector.
“Zuma saw the dark clouds gathering from March when he received questions. What is so urgent now?” asked Malema.
The EFF leader said he didn’t believe a court would grant permission to anyone seeking to stop the report from being released. – News24
