Zuma demands report from DA

IN A MOVE set to pit him against his comrades in the top echelons of the party, President Jacob Zuma has asked the DA to produce the so-called intelligence report which he allegedly used as basis to fire former finance minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas.

Yesterday, the president filed a court application to “frustrate the course of justice” aimed at reviewing the controversial cabinet reshuffle, carried out in the dead of the night more than a month ago.

Zuma, who is on a state visit to Tanzania, was appealing against Judge Bashir Vally’s order that he should deliver the record of decision for the reshuffle by close of business today.

He also filed a notice in terms of Rule 35 (12), which The Star has seen, requesting the DA to provide him with the intelligence report within five working days.

However, Constitutional law expert and political analyst Prof Shadrack Gutto said Zuma had a responsibility to abide by Vally’s court order.

Reasons

“The president did make statements about reasons why he had removed or rather reshuffled the cabinet.

“He made allegations that there was a report that indicated that then (finance) minister went abroad to mobilise the markets against the country, and thus undermining the security of the country. He has to present that evidence to the court. He is the one who said there was an intelligence report. No one else. He has to produce that report to the court. That’s what the court is asking for.

“It’s actually the president who has to produce that report,” Gutto said.