#StateCapture: Zuma files fresh court challenge

President Jacob Zuma laughs ahead of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's medium term budget speech. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

President Jacob Zuma laughs ahead of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's medium term budget speech. REUTERS/Sumaya Hisham

Published Oct 26, 2016

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Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has sought clarification from the office of the Public Protector that he would be able to question witnesses himself before it finalised a report on accusations he allowed the Indian-born Gupta family to interfere in state affairs.

eNCA TV cited an affadavit filed to a court on Tuesday by President Zuma, who is under pressure from opposition parties and within his own ruling African National Congress (ANC) over links to the Guptas. Zuma denies any impropriety, as do the three businessmen.

“The only way to determine whether the report is final or not is for the Public Protector to say so in no uncertain terms. In this regard I invite her to do so,” Zuma said in the affidavit.

The brothers Ajay, Atul and Rajesh Gupta are subject of a report, yet to be released, by the previous Public Protector on allegations that they influenced the appointment of ministers. It is unclear whether the new holder of the office will publish that version of the report, which Zuma fears could unjustly implicate him.

Release of the report by the Public Protector was stayed on Oct. 14 by Zuma's application to the High Court.

A court will on November 1 hear Zuma's application to delay release on the grounds he has not had the chance to question witnesses and review any evidence that might implicate him.

Presidency spokesman Bongani Ngqulunga said he would comment on the latest affidavit later after speaking to Zuma's lawyers.

The Business Day newspaper cited an internal party report in which some branches of the ANC are calling for Zuma and the main party's leadership to step down after a poor showing at local elections in August.

ANC spokesman Zizi Kodwa declined to comment on the report, saying “we don't comment on internal discussions.”

Reuters

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