S. African court orders Zuma to give reasons for cabinet reshuffle

The North Gauteng High Court ruled on Thursday that President Jacob Zuma must provide reasons for the recent cabinet reshuffle.

The court also ordered Zuma to hand over cabinet reshuffle records to the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA).

Judge Bashier Vally said Zuma must handover numerous records within five working days to the DA.

The records allegedly contain intelligence Zuma used as "an excuse" to fire Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in the cabinet reshuffle, which also saw the sacking or replacement of nine other ministers.

Zuma reportedly told the ANC top leadership before the reshuffle that he had received intelligence that Gordhan was seeking foreign assistance to topple him.

Zuma later said the cabinet reshuffle was based on the intelligence.

The reshuffle prompted international rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Fitch to downgrade South Africa's sovereign credit to junk status, respectively on April 3 and April 7.

Last week, the DA approached the Pretoria High Court, seeking a court order to compel Zuma to give reasons for the cabinet reshuffle and hand over relevant records.

The DA argued that the axing of ministers, in particular the finance minister, has already shown signs of economic negativity for the country.

If not reconsidered, more damage could be unavoidable, the party said.

"This is a victory not only for the DA but for all South Africans who deserve to know on what basis the president made this disastrous decision," the DA said in response to the ruling.

Now that the High Court has confirmed that Zuma must supply his record of decision within five days of Thursday's ruling, the DA's earlier application to review the rationality of his decision can proceed, the party said.

Zuma has not responded to the ruling yet. A call to his office went unanswered. Endit