Public Protector responds to DA's call for investigation into Zuma's financial non-disclosure
On 8 March, the Democratic Alliance (DA) submitted a formal request to the Public Protector to investigate President Jacob Zuma's failure to disclose his financial interests, in breach of section 5 of the Executive Ethics Code.
We made this submission in terms of section 3(1) of the Executive Members' Ethics Act. The Act compels the Public Protector to produce a written report. In terms section 3(2) of the Act, the Public Protector's report must be finalised within 30 days.
A copy of the letter we have received from the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, follows below.
Adv Madonsela has committed to reporting her findings within the next 14 days. We await her response.
The way in which the Public Protector handles this request will say a great deal about the independence of this institution. The Public Protector must investigate this matter openly, independently, and without fear, favour or prejudice, as they are mandated to do by section 181(2) of the Constitution.
Hon Mr Athol Trollip MP
The Office of the Leader of the Opposition
Democratic Alliance
PO Box 15
CAPE TOWN
Dear Honourable Trollip
INTERIM REORT IN TERMS OF SECTION 3(3) OF THE EXECUTIVE MEMBERS' ETHICS ACT: REQUEST TO INVESTIGATE PRESIDENT JACOB ZUMA'S APPARENT BREACH OF SECTION 5 OF THE EXECUTIVE ETHICS CODE
This is to report that my investigation on the above matter has not yet been completed and will accordingly not be submitted by 07 April 2010, which is the date on which the thirty (30) days that is stipulated in section 3(2) of the Executive Members' Ethics Act 82 of 1998 (the Act), expires.
My inability to finalise the investigation by the due date is primarily relating to the fact that the request, on 08 March, by Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Mr A Trollip, that I undertake this investigation, arrived while I was away from the office on a mission to consult stakeholders nation-wide on my office's proposed vision.
I further wish to advise in terms of section 3(3) of the Act that I have made significant progress with the investigation. A final report on this matter is at an advanced stage of development and will be submitted within the next fourteen (14) days.
I hope that the above is in order.
Yours sincerely
Adv T.N. Madonsela
Public Protector of the
Republic of South Africa
Statement issued by Athol Trollip, MP, Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader, April 8 2010
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