President Jacob Zuma says former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has no right to order him around.
On Wednesday, Zuma was answering questions in the National Assembly and was asked whether he would institute a commission of inquiry into state capture, as directed by Madonsela before she left office last month.
The report implicates several high-ranking politicians and bosses of state-owned enterprises.
Replying to questions from MPs, the President had min tyd for Madonsela or her “State Capture” report.
The report directs Zuma to appoint a judicial inquiry, headed by a judge to be named by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, within 30 days to use her report as a starting point to investigate in depth all allegations of abuse of the state to benefit the Gupta business empire.
“This report has been dealt with in a very funny way. It affected me and many, no fairness at all,” Zuma said.
“Even the manner in which the recommendations is made, it is the president who has the right to appoint a commission. No one, no matter what positions they hold, can instruct a president to appoint a commission.”
Madonsela said the inquiry has to be completed within six months, while flagging instances where Zuma may have flouted the law and calling on the National Prosecuting Authority and the police to probe possible cause for criminal charges contained in the report.
Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance MP’s shouted at Zuma and the Economic Freedom Fighters didn’t even show up to listen to him speak.
The EFF boycotted the parliamentary session and spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi says: “Jacob Zuma was found by the Constitutional Court to have violated his oath of office, and thereby undermining the Constitution in that he failed to uphold and protect it.
“Zuma failed to do this in relation to the processes of the upgrade of his private home in Nkandla, where he unduly benefited from the abuse and misuse of state funds,” he added.