Storm brewing over Hulley appointment

But while his office says it is aware of the sensitivity involved in keeping separate personal and executive matters, it insists there will be no conflict of interest. A Mail & Guardian Online report points out the relationship between the President and his new adviser dates back several years, with Hulley having represented Zuma on several personal issues - most notably in cases regarding corruption charges from 2005 to 2009. Hulley also has business dealings with the President's nephew, Khulubuse Zuma, with whom he was a partner in the ownership of the now liquidated Aurora Empowerment Systems. His appointment in the Presidency was 'a slap in the face for some 5 300 former Aurora employees and their families who have fallen into poverty thanks to the actions of Hulley and the other Aurora directors', trade union Solidarity said. The trade union called on Parliament's Mineral Resources Committee to support its demand for the immediate rescission of Hulley's appointment. A Business Day report quotes NUM spokesperson Lesiba Seshoka as saying the appointment sends a terrible message that 'you can be at the centre of exploitation of poor people but it does not matter as you will still get the official rubber stamp from government'. Full Mail & Guardian Online report Full Business Day report

The appointment is also questioned by constitutional law expert Professor Pierre de Vos. 'There is a serious problem here. There's a danger of conflating the interests of the person as an individual and the interests of the Presidency,' he is quoted as saying in a report on the Moneyweb site. 'Michael Hulley is a very controversial figure. By making this decision you invite speculation - and that's not wise.' De Vos said Hulley's involvement in leaking the tapes that led to Zuma's corruption trial being dropped also cast a shadow over the appointment. 'The fact that he had possession of those tapes, is, according to the law, a criminal offence.' He said the fact that the Mineral Resources Committee had recommended the directors of Aurora should be criminally prosecuted was also a highly contentious issue, in light of the decision to appoint Hulley. 'It seems to me that Jacob Zuma can't make a distinction between loyalty to his friends and doing what's best for the Presidency,' De Vos suggested. Full Moneyweb report

The DA is also concerned. MP Geordian Hill-Lewis, told Moneyweb that he had formally submitted two written Parliamentary questions to the President. 'I want to establish two things: What procedure was followed in Michael Hulley's appointment - and how much is he being paid,' said Hill-Lewis. He said he hoped to get a response from the President before the end of the parliamentary term in a few weeks time. 'I can't assume anything untoward is happening until I know, but big question marks are hovering over the appointment.' Full Moneyweb report