New public protector pays courtesy call to Zuma

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane paid a courtesy call to President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday‚ the presidency said.

This was the first meeting between the two since Mkhwebane was appointed.

"President Zuma congratulated Advocate Mkhwebane on her appointment and pledged his and government's support and cooperation as she fulfils her constitutional responsibilities‚" his spokesman Bongani Ngqulunga said.

Zuma had also reiterated the importance of all Chapter nine institutions during the meeting.

"Advocate Mkhwebane thanked the President for the opportunity to meet and said she looked forward to constructive working relations with government."

Zuma earlier this month launched his court case to set aside the Public Protector's State of Capture report. He wants the court to order that the matter be sent back to Mkhwebane for “further investigation”.

The State of Capture report – former public protector Thuli Madonsela's swansong – details damning allegations of an improper relationship between the president and the Gupta family.

However‚ instead of making findings‚ Madonsela directed that that a judicial commission of inquiry be set up‚ with a judge to head it selected by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng.

The report was released on November 2 as a result of a court order‚ after Zuma initially tried to interdict its release and then did a dramatic u-turn on the second day of a court hearing. TMG Digital/BusinessLive