Mentor seeks to intervene in Zuma interdict bid

Former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor has filed papers with the Gauteng High Court (Pretoria) seeking to intervene in President Jacob Zuma’s bid to halt the release of the Public Protector's ‘state capture’ report. The matter will be heard on 1 November, notes a News24 report. Mentor was one of those who were interviewed by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in her investigation into ‘state capture’. In March 2016 she alleged the Gupta family offered her a job of Minister of Public Enterprises in 2010 in exchange for cancelling SAA routes to India. In her affidavit, Mentor said she is seeking to intervene in the Zuma matter as a respondent, and is asking that the President’s application be dismissed. Mentor is also asking the court to direct Zuma to pay the costs of the application. The former MP lays out details, some of which are already in the public domain, of the meeting she attended at the Gupta's Saxonwold home when she was allegedly offered the ministerial post. Mentor also documents that a week after the incident Zuma reshuffled his Cabinet. She also noted it was recently reported in the media that the President requested a list of witnesses from the Public Protector. ‘I viewed this as an attempt by the President to intimidate those persons who had given evidence to the Public Protector against him.’