A constitutional crisis could be imminent over the powers of the Public Protector as she faces increasing political heat over her investigation into the upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence. Daily Maverick has learnt that Zuma has written to Thuli Madonsela questioning whether she has the powers to investigate him at all. This could lead to a legal showdown between Zuma and Madonsela about the relationship between their offices. For now, any findings or recommendations Madonsela makes in her Nkandla investigation report pertaining to the president could be disregarded by Zuma if he believes the Public Protector has no authority to investigate him. …
