Mahumapelo: ‘Nothing damning' about state capture judgement
The African National Congress (ANC) chairperson in North West,
Supra Mahumapelo, doesn’t believe there was anything damning about the High
Court judgement dismissing President Jacob Zuma’s application to review the
State of Capture.
This comes after a full bench of the North Gauteng High Court on Wednesday dismissed Zuma’s application to review former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s remedial action recommendation for a commission of inquiry into allegations of state capture to be presided over by a judge appointed by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.
Judge Dustin Mlambo also ordered that Zuma be personally liable for the costs incurred in his review application, branding the legal action reckless and ill-advised.
Mlambo also ordered that the president launch an inquiry into state capture allegations within 30 days.
The president has come in for scathing criticism following the judgement, but Mahumapelo believes it was ‘’just a normal judgement’’.
Speculation is rife that the president might decide to appeal the judgement and Mahumapelo says the president would be within his rights to do so.
ALSO READ: SA digests state capture ruling, as Zuma mulls possible appeal
‘’The courts must continue to play their roles … but where there are discomforts about some of the decisions and connotations in the courts, they must accept that because we are a democracy.
‘’They will be some of us in society who will raise whatever discomforts we have about their judgements because remember, judges and courts are human beings.’’
Meanwhile, the ANC says it hopes Zuma will implement the court order as soon as possible.