Zuma withdraws application for interdict, to consider Public Protector report

President Jacob Zuma addressing the Black Business Council (BBC) Baobab Awards Gala Dinner in September (Photo GCIS)

“In the interest of justice and speedy resolution of the matter, the President decided to withdraw his application,” said the Presidency in a statement on Wednesday.

President Zuma launched the application in the North Gauteng High Court.

The basis of the application, as originally contended, was that the President was not afforded a reasonable opportunity to provide meaningful input into the investigation and asked the court to be given an opportunity to do so.

The Presidency said President Zuma contended that he has a right to be provided with incriminating evidence before he answers the questions posed to him and that he is entitled to question witnesses, as determined by the Public Protector, which witnesses appeared before the Public Protector.

“When the application was launched, it was not clear whether the investigation was finalised. The Public Protector has since clarified that the report was signed and finalised by the former Public Protector on 14 October 2016,” said the Presidency.

The Constitution provides that everyone has the right to administrative action that is lawful, reasonable and procedurally fair.

The North Gauteng High Court earlier today ruled that the report should be released before 5pm on 2 November.

“The President will give consideration to the contents of the report in order to ascertain whether it should be a subject of a court challenge,” said the Presidency.