Not investigating politicians is a breach of standards, former public protector tells inquiry into her successor, Busisiwe Mkhwebane
Former public protector says intelligence agency opened documents couriered to her by the department of international relations
The president successfully argued that submitting to an unlawful summons would be would be a violation of his right to freedom
The president’s constitutional rights will be irreparably harmed in a criminal prosecution that has at its heart an attempt at political destabilisation
There should be fewer MPs on the commission to limit political interference in judicial appointment, Freedom Under Law and the Helen Suzman Foundation argue
One of the grounds is the publication of a list of counsel and the fees they earned from litigation around the reports of the suspended public protector
But both advocate Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan have brought applications, to be heard in December, to have the case thrown out as an abuse of process
The Western Cape high court heard extensive argument on Friday as to whether the suspended public protector could be returned to office
In a fractious exchange after he was denied a postponement, Mpofu told the chairman he should “chill” and his “day will come”
Several witnesses have testified that Mkhwebane covered her tracks in investigations and court
Basani Baloyi testified she was shocked
The president’s evidence is not necessary to determine whether she is guilty of misconduct, the section 194 committee concludes
But her colleague told parliament he could not say whether the suspended public protector would rewrite findings produced by her office
The senior counsel suggested to MPs that everything a former employee of the public protector’s office said was a lie
The directive in the report that the mandate of the Reserve Bank be changed was dictated to the public protector by intelligence officials, a suspended employee testified
Advocate Dali Mpofu, appearing for the suspended public protector, insists that the president wrongfully suspend her and this taints the parliamentary process that could lead to her impeachment
The president successfully argued against the claim on seven counts but failed to persuade the court that there is no argument of a causal link between his actions and the fatal shooting of miners
The former president has been issued with a certificate from the National Prosecuting Authority that allows him to pursue a case against the state prosecutor
Defence does not rule out further action after bail dismissal
Advocate Andrew Breitenbach, appearing for parliament, said the message he received did not advantage his client and was no cause to suspend the impeachment inquiry against the public protector
Public protector’s counsel said nothing in the law prohibited her from filing another rescission application
The Pietermaritzburg high court was surprised by the delay in Bloemfontein but said it would likely not be the last
But observers said the damage was done, delaying impeachment proceedings and providing more ammunition for political attack on the apex court
The high court postponed the public protector’s bid to stem her suspension after a text message that would suggest, if legitimate, that constitutional court judges were leaking decisions
The public protector’s lawyer informed the court and the respondents of the ‘unfortunate’ development on the eve of the high court hearing
Zandile Christmas Mafe faces charges of setting parliament on fire on 2 January
The former president’s counsel told the high court he suffered a medical emergency, before pleading that the trial be delayed pending his latest attempt at securing the removal of the state prosecutor
The former president’s counsel told the high court he suffered a medical emergency.
The organisation notes complaints against Mpofu following the interviews with candidates for chief justice and set out guidelines of fairness, but said he was not treated fairly within its own ranks
The president said he had expected the commission to limit itself to commenting on the suitability of all four shortlisted candidates, but that the decision remained his prerogative
Judge Piet Koen said there was no reasonable prospect of success for an appeal on the dismissal of Zuma’s plea to have Billy Downer removed as prosecutor and it was in the interest of all that his criminal trial resumes
Should the court deny leave to appeal, it is unlikely to be end of a legal strategy openly described by the state as one of continual delay