The Democratic Alliance (DA) has asked the Public Protector to investigate why President Jacob Zuma has not declared his assets and interests to Parliament, DA MP Athol Trollip said on Monday.
“We sent it about 40 minutes ago,” said Trollip late on Monday afternoon after the protector’s office could not confirm receiving it.
Meanwhile, Zuma is expected to issue a statement on Wednesday regarding the controversy over the declaration of his interests, one of his legal advisers said on Monday.
“By Wednesday morning, a statement will be issued on behalf of the president in relation to exactly what the position would be,” said Michael Hulley, one of the lawyers working on the matter.
This followed a report, and confirmation by Zuma’s office, that he did not declare his interests after taking office last year.
The opposition DA believes it is a violation of section 5 of the Executive Ethics Code by not making the declaration within 60 days of taking office.
Zuma’s spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said Zuma had been waiting for clarification from his legal team as there had been a difference of opinion in his office on whether he had to declare his interests or not.
“People should also appreciate that while the president has been waiting for clarification from the legal team, he has also instructed that a submission be prepared for purposes of declaration in the event that it was found that he has to declare,” Magwenya told South African Press Association.
Not hiding anything
A preamble signed by Zuma when he was acting president in 2000 reads: “In terms of section 2 (1) of the Executive Members’ Ethics Atc, 1998 (Act No. 82 of 1998), I hereby, after consultation with Parliament, publish the Executive Ethics Code with which members of the Cabinet, deputy ministers and members of provincial executive councils must comply in performing their official responsibilities.”
This then goes on to include a list of which interests must be declared and whether members have to excuse themselves from committees if there may be a conflict of interest.
Section 91 of the Constitution defines the Cabinet as: “The Cabinet consists of the president, as head of the Cabinet, a deputy president and ministers”.
Magwenya said the president, through his office, had told the Sunday Independent that he had not declared his interests, in response to questions put to them.
“It is not as if the president was hiding anything,” he said.
If the president was hiding something he would not have given such an open and forthright response, said Magwenya.
He said the declaration of interests currently being worked on, in case Zuma was required to submit one, would include verifying the interests of his large family and dependent children, which is expected to take some time. Zuma has three wives and 20 children.
“That process is already under way. He will want to see it completed as soon as possible.”
Trollip’s declaration was listed in the register of members’ interests, published on Parliament’s website, and a spokesperson for DA leader Zille’s office said she had declared her interests. — Sapa