Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, has confirmed to have met with President Jacob Zuma on Thursday as part of her investigation into “State capture”, saying that Zuma wants the matter deferred to her successor.
Zuma appointed advocate Busisiwe Joyce Mkhwebane as the new Public Protector on Thursday for a seven year term to succeed Madonsela with effect from October 15.
Madonsela’s spokesperson, Kgalalelo Masibi, said the meeting between Madonsela and Zuma was “cordial”.
“For the greater part of the four-hour meeting, the President’s legal representative argued that the investigation be deferred to the incoming Public Protector, who he advised had been announced today, on the grounds that there wasn’t enough time to conclude the matter properly and that there was no reason for the investigation to be prioritised,” Masibi said in a statement.
“The president and his advisers further advised that the President had not had time to prepare answers with legal advice, given the investigation timelines.
“State capture” refers to the alleged involvement of the controversial Gupta family in the dismissal and appointment of Cabinet Ministers and members of boards of directors of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
The investigation also refers to allegedly improper and possibly corrupt influence in the award of state contracts and licenses to companies linked to the family.
The appointment and dismissal of Cabinet Ministers is Zuma’s prerogative as president.
Deputy Finance Minister, Mcebisi Jonas, in May confirmed reports that the Gupta family had approached him to take over as finance minister a few days before Zuma fired Nhlanhla Nene from the post in December. Zuma denied the allegation.
Masibi said the meeting acknowledged that Zuma had been advised in writing by the Public Protector about the allegations made against him, including his suspected breach of the Executive Ethics Code on 22 March this year.
“After lengthy deliberations and taking into account that the case is a part-heard matter, it was agreed that the President would be given a set of questions and to answer same through an affidavit and to meet again with the Public Protector and provide answers on matters needing clarity.
Meanwhile, members of Black First Land First led by Andile Mngxitama on Thursday protested at the Public Protector’s office, saying that Madonsela had refused to investigate a report alleging that R26 billion was siphoned out of the Reserve Bank during apartheid.
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