Zuma use of Gauntlett angers black advocates

A Sunday Times report says President Jacob Zuma turned to one of SA’s top legal minds in an attempt to get the scourge of Nkandla off his back – and in doing so irked black advocates, with Advocates for Transformation national chairman Dumisa Ntsebeza saying this proved the Presidency had no faith in black advocates. Zuma roped in leading silk Jeremy Gauntlett SC, who the newspaper claims charges about R50 000 a day. It notes the legal opinion Zuma received from Gauntlett is behind last week’s dramatic U-turn when the President proposed to pay for the undue benefits he gained from the Nkandla upgrades. The Sunday Times claims Zuma insisted that Gauntlett be summoned for a talk about the Nkandla matter. The two men met, along with Zuma's usual legal team, including his attorney Michael Hulley, in January. Asked if he was on Zuma's team on the Nkandla issue, Gauntlett is quoted as saying: ‘It is not for me to say for whom I am acting. Why don't you ask the Presidency ... I am afraid you will have to go the long route.’ Ntsebeza said ‘this guy (Gauntlett) virtually runs the country. If it's (Sudanese President Omar) al-Bashir it's going to be Gauntlett. If it's Marikana to negotiate with families of injured and arrested miners it is going to be Gauntlett ... If it's Julius Malema on the Nkandla matter, it is going to be Gauntlett,’ Ntsebeza is quoted as saying.