Public Protector to request access to "Guptagate" report

The Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, will request a copy of the report of the investigation into "Guptagate" before making a final decision about whether to investigate.

On 8 May 2013 I wrote to the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, requesting an investigation into "Guptagate".

My concern was that the scope of the investigation, which was conducted by the task team of director-generals, would not include the possible role of President Jacob Zuma and members of his Cabinet.

The Public Protector has now responded, in a letter dated 14 May 2013, as follows:

We have considered your request for investigation in respect of the above matter and would like to inform you that our provisional assessment is that the case does fall within the mandate of the Public Protector. However I have taken cognisance of the fact that a Task Team of Directors General has been appointed by the Minister of Justice to deal with the same issue and is expected to deliver a report today 14 May 2013. I intend to request access to the report so that I can be fully informed of the terms of reference, scope of the investigation, as well as remedies proposed, if any,

This information will place me in a better position to conclude the assessment process and to exercise my discretion whether or not to investigate and which issues to pursue.

We must allow the assessment process to be completed and wait for a final decision by the Public Protector on whether to investigate what has become known as "Guptagate".

Statement issued by David Maynier MP, DA Shadow Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, May 16 2013

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