Zuma silence on lease deals survives parliamentary storm

A report in The Times says opposition MPs accused National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu of 'protecting' Zuma when Sisulu attempted to stop them from asking questions about the scandal. Zuma himself was reluctant to answer questions on the issue, at the same time assuring MPs that he was not shying away from taking action against those fingered in the Public Protector's report - National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele and Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde, among others 'Its time will come,' Zuma is quoted as saying. The onslaught was led by DA members, and followed by, among others, COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota who was adamant that Zuma be ordered to answer the question as Thuli Madonsela had already made findings with regards to Mahlangu-Nkabinde's involvement. Sisulu insisted, however, that Madonsela's findings against Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Cele had no weight in law, notes the report. 'These are allegations by the Public Protector. The Minister has not been found guilty by any court of law,' he said. Lekota informed Sisulu that he was wrong in classifying the Public Protector's report as containing only allegations. 'They are findings, sir. It means allegations have been investigated and findings have been made. Please correct yourself, sir,' Lekota demanded. Full report in The Times

Yesterday's row fuelled speculation that referring Madonsela's reports to Parliament was a stratagem to protect Zuma from accusations of failing to implement the findings, suggests a Business Day report. It notes DA MP Marti Wenger attempted to ask a question that compared the case against Mahlangu-Nkabinde with maladministration at local government level. The moment she mentioned the Minister's name, ANC Whip Mike Masutha raised a point of order. 'Any assertions that the Minister committed illegal actions that have not been substantiated by any finding by any body are out of order,' Masutha said. Sisulu agreed, and ruled Wenger out of order. DA Deputy Chief Whip Mike Ellis then asked him: 'Are you ruling this out of order because the Public Protector has ruled on that matter?' Sisulu replied that because the reports were before committees and they had not reported to the House, the question could not be asked. Full Business Day report

Meanwhile, the Public Protector is satisfied with a progress report she has received from state organs on the lease deals, her office said yesterday, according to a report on the News24 site. 'The Presidency has advised on the action it is taking to implement its part of the remedial action,' her spokesperson, Kgalalelo Masibi, said. 'The Department of Public Works has also reported on the steps it is taking to implement the remedial action.' Madonsela met Mahlangu-Nkabinde's senior adviser on 2 September and was given a plan of action, said Masibi. Mahlangu-Nkabinde also wrote to Cabinet Secretary Cassius Lubisi, asking for an opportunity to present her case, as required by the remedial action. Lubisi wrote to Madonsela informing her that the President was handling the matter, Masibi said. Full report on the News24 site