Media Statement

Date: Monday, October 10, 2016

For immediate release
Attention: Editors/ News desks
Subject: Public Protector notes Presidency statement
Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela has noted the statement from the
Presidency, issued on Monday, October 10, 2016.
The statement relates to the Public Protectors investigation into the alleged
involvement of the Gupta family in the dismissal and appointment of
Cabinet Ministers and Members of Boards of Directors of State Owned
Enterprises (SOEs), consequent influence by the Gupta family on improper
and possibly corrupt influence in the award of state contracts and licenses
to companies linked to the family.
The Public Protector would like to report that President Jacob Zuma was
afforded a proper opportunity to tender his evidence since 22 March 2016
(see copies of the two letters dated 22 March 2016 and 22 April 2016
attached).
President Zuma was on Saturday, October 01, 2016, given all copies of
evidence implicating him.
His lawyer raised a request to question witnesses for the first time on
Thursday, October 06, 2016 when he was asking for a deferment of the
investigation to the next Public Protector.

A letter has been prepared to advise the President to submit questions that
will be put to witnesses on his behalf.
The Public Protectors approach to the investigation has been informed by,
amongst others, section 7(9)(a) of the Public Protector Act, which provides
that: The Public Protector shall afford such (implicated) person an
opportunity to respond in any manner that may be expedient under the
circumstances.
Expedient in the circumstances takes into account that the Executive
Members Ethics Act requires an investigation regarding possible violations
of the Executive Ethics Code to be concluded within 30 days.
It is of concern to the Public Protector that the President has on two
occasions undertaken to answer questions and when the time arose, he
changed his mind.
The Public Protector genuinely believes it is in the interests of the President
to account for what he knows regarding the allegations which the Public
Protector already forwarded to him in March 2016. She also believes it is in
the interest of public trust that the matter be concluded expeditiously. She
accordingly appeals to the President to assist with any information he has
that can assist the investigation, primarily, by answering the questions put
to him.
For more information, contact:
Ms. Kgalalelo Masibi
Spokesperson
Public Protector South Africa
Cell: 079 507 0399
Tel: 012 366 7006
Email: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
www.publicprotector.org