The ANC and opposition parties have accepted a special committee’s report on the public protector’s probe into deputy president Jacob Zuma’s complaint against National Director of Public Prosecutions Bulelani Ngcuka.
Zuma lodged a complaint with the Public Protector on Ngcuka’s public statements that there was a prima facie case of corruption against him, but that he would not be prosecuted.
Following days of heated debate, the ANC finally agreed on Wednesday to record the objections of the opposition parties to three points contained in the committee’s report, which paved the way for its acceptance.
The Democratic Alliance, Independent Democrats, Inkatha Freedom Party, United Democratic Movement and African Christian Democratic Party all objected to the committee’s acceptance of the public protector’s finding that Ngcuka’s public statement infringed on Zuma’s human rights and caused him to be improperly prejudiced.
The parties also disagreed with the committee’s recommendation that the national assembly express its disapproval of Ngcuka’s statements.
The opposition parties said they could not express disapproval at Ngcuka’s statement as he had not been allowed to make submissions to Parliament.
Asked if the house would pass a special motion to express its disapproval, committee chairperson Ismail Vadi said that by accepting the report the national assembly would in effect be rebuking Ngcuka.
”By adopting the report this will be realised. No further resolution will be needed.”
”Ultimately this was about enhancing the two institutions. Where an institution overstepped its mark it has been noted… there is no need to embark on punitive action. We need to strengthen both institutions.”
In his report the public protector recommended that Parliament take urgent steps to hold Ngcuka responsible for his ”unfair and improper” behaviour towards Zuma, and his failure to co-operate with the protector’s investigation.
The committee’s report is expected to be tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday. – Sapa