Zuma to consider "state capture" report: Presidency

South African President Jacob Zuma will study the contents of the Public Protector's "state capture" report and ascertain whether it should be a subject of a court challenge, the Presidency said in a statement on Wednesday.

This came hours after the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the report must be released to the public by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

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

Zuma launched an application to interdict the release of the report pursuant to an investigation into complaints of improper and unethical conduct by the president and/or officials of state organs due to the alleged inappropriate relationship with members of the Gupta family.

But earlier on Wednesday Zuma's legal team, in a dramatic about turn, announced the withdrawal of the application, without giving any reason.

Explaining the reason for the withdrawal, the Presidency said the basis of the application, as originally contended, was that the president was not afforded a reasonable opportunity to provide meaningful input into the investigation and asked the court to be given an opportunity to do so.

"The Constitution provides that everyone has the right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair," presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said.

Zuma has a right to be provided with incriminating evidence before he answers the questions posed to him, and is entitled to question witnesses, as determined by the Public Protector, said Ngqulunga.

In the interest of justice and speedy resolution of the matter, the President decided to withdraw his application, said the spokesperson.

The Guptas, along with Zuma, have came 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.

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 apply for the interdict.

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