PRETORIA
South Africa’s
anti-corruption watchdog on Wednesday released its report into
accusations against President Jacob Zuma and called for prosecutors to
investigate alleged criminal activity.
Mr Zuma, whose
presidency has been engulfed by multiple scandals, had fought to block
the release of the Public Protector’s report, until his lawyers made a
surprise U-turn and dropped their legal appeal earlier in the day.
The
report was released hours later, further undermining Mr Zuma after a
series of court rulings that have tarnished his time in office and
fuelled calls for him to stand down.
The
investigation probed accusations that Zuma allowed the Guptas, a
wealthy Indian business family, to have undue influence over government,
including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.
Among
findings in the 355-page report was evidence that David van Rooyen
visited the Johannesburg neighbourhood where the Guptas live on the day
before he was appointed finance minister.
Van
Rooyen, a little-known Zuma loyalist, was removed as finance minister
just four days later following a market plunge, investor panic and waves
of political outrage.
In the
report, the Public Protector said it “brings to the notice of the
National Prosecuting Authority... those matters identified in this
report where it appears crimes have been committed”.
FIRED RUBBER BULLETS
The
court’s order came as thousands of people took to the streets of the
administrative capital Pretoria to demand that Zuma resigns. Police
fired rubber bullets and water cannon to disperse protesters outside
President Zuma’s office in Pretoria, according to an AFP photographer at
the scene.
Supporters of the
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party had tried to storm the Union
Buildings to call for Zuma’s resignation as discontent grows over his
leadership.
The report by the
Public Protector, the country’s most senior watchdog, probed accusations
that Zuma allowed a wealthy Indian family undue political sway,
including letting them choose some cabinet ministers.
“The
Public Protector is ordered to publish the report forthwith and by no
later than 17:00 hours,” judge Dunstan Mlambo told the High Court in
Pretoria.
Former public
protector Thuli Madonsela concluded her report into the influence of the
Gupta family last month, shortly before the expiry of her seven-year
term. It was due to be released on October 14 — until Zuma moved to
block it.
“Today is a historic
day... Jacob Zuma must be held accountable,” Mmusi Maimane, leader of
the main opposition Democratic Alliance party, told reporters, hailing
the court order as “a turning point in South Africa”.
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