Madonsela fires back at presidency: Zuma promised to answer me, then changed his mind
Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has called President Jacob Zuma to heel, and appealed to him to answer questions posed in her probe into state capture.
This after Zuma asked to see the evidence gathered in her probe on Monday.
Not only does the president want access to the evidence, but he or his legal representative want to be allowed to question the witnesses who appeared in front of the Public Protector.
“President Jacob Zuma has written to the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, requesting her to allow him or his legal representative to question other witnesses, determined by the Public Protector, who have appeared before [her].”
Madonsela publicly responded to the first citizen on Twitter, issuing a series of tweets in riposte.
“Public Protector Madonsela has noted the statement from the Presidency, issued on Monday, October 10, 2016.
“The Public Protector would like to report that President Jacob Zuma was afforded a proper opportunity to tender his evidence since 22/03/2016.
“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.
“It’s of concern to the Public Protector that 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.
“The Public Protector 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,” the last tweet reads.
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