Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has no right to talk about President Jacob Zuma and the “State of Capture” report, the Presidency said on Friday.
The Presidency said it was concerned about “continuing public statements” being made by Madonsela about Zuma regarding the explosive report.
“Advocate Madonsela has discharged her duties as the Public Protector and has no further role to play in the process regarding the said report. Her unwarranted public attacks on the President, as happened in Stellenbosch on Thursday, are unbecoming and are not helpful,” said the Presidency.
“It would be prudent therefore, for the former Public Protector to step back and allow legal and constitutional processes to unfold unhindered.”
Madonsela investigated the alleged undue influence of the Gupta family in the removal and appointment of ministers and directors of state-owned entities.
The 355-page report implicated Zuma, his son Duduzane, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs David Van Rooyen and Minister of Mineral Resources Mosebenzi Zwane, Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and the power utility’s board.
This week, television news channel eNCA aired the full interview that Madonsela had with Zuma before she compiled the report. Zuma had told Parliament that Madonsela did not speak to him during her probe.
The Presidency also said the “leaking” of the interview was a concern.
“This conduct has serious implications with regards to ethics, confidentiality and the protection of information gathered during investigations by the office of the Public Protector,” said the Presidency.
“It is also not clear why Advocate Madonsela decided to leak only the audio recordings of the discussion with the President, despite the fact that she had interviewed several witnesses.
“The President urges all parties to act as guided by the Constitution and respect the processes that are unfolding in respect of the report.”
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