TSHWANE, November 2 (ANA) – The contentious report compiled by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela into allegations of “state capture†must be released forthwith, outspoken former foreign affairs director-general and Save South Africa campaign convener said on Wednesday.
“We are vehemently opposed to corruption. We are not a political party, we are not an organisation, we come from different strengths. We are just a group of concerned South Africans, who are concerned about the state of our nation particularly in respect of corruption and misgovernance,†Pityana told a media briefing in Pretoria central.
“We are a people’s assembly against state capture. The litany of reports that have been released in the media, reports that come from the Auditor General and other reports cast a very worrying picture of what is happening in our country.
“We believe the former Public Protector, in compiling a report that is supposed to give us bird’s eye view and the depth of what is happening … that report is deserving of being released so that South Africans have a good sense of the threat.â€
The High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday was presiding over an application by President Jacob Zuma to interdict the release of Madonsela’s report on alleged state capture.
As court proceedings started on Wednesday, Zuma made an about turn, indicating to the court that he was withdrawing his application to interdict the release of the report.
Zuma’s attorney, Advocate Anthea Platt told a full bench of High Court judges, led by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo, that her “instructions were to withdrawâ€.
The highly contentious report looked at allegations that the controversial Gupta family – who have close ties with Zuma – had undue influence on the appointment of ministers.
– African News Agency (ANA)
