South African president Cyril Ramaphosa will seek an urgent judicial review of findings by the nation\u2019s anti-graft ombudsman that he violated the constitution and executive ethics code when he misled lawmakers about a campaign donation.<\/p>\n
The lawsuit will be the latest salvo in an ongoing battle between Ramaphosa and Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, who was appointed during his predecessor Jacob Zuma\u2019s rule and has been accused by critics of playing politics and siding with the president\u2019s opponents in a power struggle in the ruling party.<\/p>\n
She denies the allegations and says they may be aimed at undermining her investigations.<\/p>\n
Mkhwebane rejected the president\u2019s assertion that he didn\u2019t know about a R500,000 ($36,000) payment services company Bosasa made to his campaign to win control of the ruling party, inadvertently failed to disclose it and rectified his mistake as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Allegations that he exposed himself to the risk of a conflict of interest or used his position to enrich himself and his son, who had business dealing with Bosasa, were substantiated, she said in a July 29 report.<\/p>\n
The Public Protector\u2019s report is “fundamentally and irretrievably flawed” and she exceeded her mandate, Ramaphosa told reporters in Pretoria, the capital, on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Credibility, Integrity<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cGiven the gravity of this matter and appreciating the effect that these findings have on the standing and the credibility of both the president and the Public Protector, it is essential that the courts be given an opportunity to review the report and find accordingly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI have decided to take this action not only to protect the rights that the constitution affords me as the president, but also to preserve the integrity of the office that I occupy.\u201d<\/p>\n The president also said he will ask the court to suspend Mkhwebane\u2019s directive that parliament take action against him and that he disclose details of all the donations he received within 30 days.<\/p>\n While he said he was aware that money was raised for his campaign, he denied being aware of the details.<\/p>\n The courts have overturned several of Mkhwebane\u2019s previous rulings and rebuked her for failing to stick to her constitutional mandate.<\/p>\n \u201cWe would like an expedited judicial process so that we do not keep our country in limbo,\u201d Ramaphosa said.<\/p>\n \u201cWhether the Public Protector is motivated by malice, I\u2019m not going to comment on that. I truly respect the office of the Public Protector. I will continue to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n
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