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1st LD Writethru: S. Africa's Zuma drops bid to block "state capture" report

Xinhua, November 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

South African President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday withdrew his court bid to interdict the release of a report on the alleged "state capture" by the Indian Gupta family.

This came on the second day of deliberations on former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's "state capture" report in the High Court in Pretoria.

The report relates to allegations that the wealthy Gupta family, which keeps close relations with Zuma and his family, meddled in South Africa's politics by influencing the appointment of cabinet ministers and directors of state-owned enterprises.

As the court was hearing arguments over whether the report should be released to the public, Zuma's legal team, in a dramatic about-turn, announced to withdraw the application to block the report without giving reasons.

Opposition parties said Zuma should use his personal money to pay for the legal cost as he has wasted state funds by bringing this matter to court.

Outside the court, hundreds of anti-Zuma protesters gathered to called for Zuma to resign. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has urged supporters to occupy the streets of Pretoria to let their voices be heard.

Opposition parties, spearheaded by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that initiated the state capture investigation in March, have been pressing for release of the report and implementation of its findings without delay.

The Guptas, along with Zuma, have come under fire after Deputy Finance Minister Mcebisi Jonas and former Member of Parliament Vytjie Mentor said early this year that they were offered cabinet positions by the Guptas.

On Tuesday, a full bench of the court dismissed Zuma's application and ordered that the DA's application to intervene in the "state capture" case be granted with costs.

This is seen as a giant leap towards ensuring that the final report into "state capture" is handed to the DA as the complainant.

Opposition parties are now seeking an order from the court to compel newly-appointed Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to release the report by her predecessor Madonsela.

Madonsela had been expected to release the report on October 14, her last day in office, but it was put under lock and key in Parliament after Zuma indicated his intention to interdict it.

Mkhwebane has said she would not release the report until the court delivered its ruling on Zuma's interdict case. Endit