Madonsela welcomes state capture ruling

The court ruled her remedial action, that a judicial commission of inquiry into state capture be instituted, to be binding. 

Judge Dunstan Mlambo ordered President Zuma to appoint a commission of inquiry within 30 days, headed by a judge chosen by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, as per Madonsela's recommendation.

Madonsela said she strongly agrees with the court's view that Zuma was ''reckless'' in reviewing her remedial actions.

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''I would say that the decision that the president was reckless, resonates with my own view of how the president dealt with this matter.

''If someone said your house is burning, honestly you have to sort that out and find out whether the allegations are true.

''The president had a duty to investigate this matter the moment he knew that former Deputy Finance Minister [Mcebesi] Jonas was making these allegations''.

Even though Madonsela suspects Zuma might appeal the ruling, the former public protector said ''he has to think once more about what it means for a country to be sitting with such allegations of state capture and a dysfunctional cabinet and government''.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have also described the ruling as a victory for the rule of law. 

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane said should Zuma decide to appeal the judgement, he would seek an enforcement order prohibiting such an appeal.

''What is absolutely crucial now is that if he does appeal, I would doubt that another court would not be consistent in keeping to the cost order, so if he appeals the judgement it ought to be in his personal costs... and so if him and the Guptas want to continue this racketeering business they must then fund that legal case''.

Economic Freedom Fighter's (EFF) secretary general Godrich Gardee said the court ruling reaffirmed the EFF's stance that Zuma is a ''constitutional delinquent''.