TSHWANE, September 12 (ANA) – The High Court in Pretoria on Tuesday reserved judgement on President Jacob Zuma’s counter-application against the Democratic Alliance’s case which seeks to force him to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture.
After hearing lengthy submissions from counsel for Zuma, the Public Protector and the DA, High Court Judge Motsamai Makume said he needs time to apply his mind.
Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela recommended in October last year that that Zuma should appoint a commission of inquiry headed by a judge, to be appointed by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, .
The DA subsequently approached the North Gauteng High Court to declare that Zuma had failed to comply with the Public Protector’s remedial action.
He has taken Madonsela’s “State of Capture” report, which shed light notably on Eskom’s dealings with the Gupta family, on review because he differs with her directive that the head of the inquiry be appointed by Mogoeng, arguing that the Constitution gives the president alone the power to do so.
She had directed that the commission further probe the funnelling of state resources to politically connected businessmen, saying an inquiry more extensive than her own was needed.
Madonsela gave Zuma 30 days to appoint the commission of inquiry, and the DA has gone to court to force him to implement the remedial action.
In June, Zuma responded to the DA’s court application with a counter application for a stay on implementing Madonsela’s report pending the outcome of the review, if necessary.
In his arguments for a review, he states that he was not compelled to comply with a report of the Public Protector if he had cause to doubt its correctness.
– African News Agency (ANA)
