Statement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on the report of the Public Protector

1. STATEMENT BY PRESIDENTCYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON THE REPORT OF THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR
21 JULY 2019
FellowSouthAfricans,
Two daysago, on Friday19 July,the PublicProtectorreleasedareportonan investigationinto
allegationsthatIviolatedthe Executive EthicsCode.
Since then,manySouthAfricanshave expressedconcernaboutthe findingsandtheirimplicationsfor
the country.
I have decidedthatitis necessarythatI shouldmake astatementonthisissue toaddressthese
concernsand reaffirmthatthe workof governmentcontinues.
WhenI assumedoffice asPresidentof the RepublicinFebruarylastyear,Iundertooktowork alongside
all SouthAfricansinbringinga decisiveendtostate capture,to turnthe tide oncorruptionandto
restore the integrityandcredibilityof ourpublicinstitutions.
Since then,asa country,we have made remarkable progress.
We have takendecisive measurestohaltthe abuse of publicbodiesforprivate gain.
The Zondo Commissionof Inquirycontinuesitswork.
We are continuingtostrengtheninstitutionslikethe NationalProsecutingAuthority,the SouthAfrican
Police Service,the Special InvestigatingUnit,the State SecurityAgencyandthe SouthAfricanRevenue
Service.

2. Thiswork mustcontinue – andit mustbe intensified –if we are to ridour countryof all formsof
corruptionandcriminality.
Thisrequires,amongotherthings,thatwe respect,strengthenanddefendthe institutionsestablished
by our Constitutiontosupportdemocracyandsafeguardthe rightsof our people.
The PublicProtectorisone such institution.
It carriesa Constitutional responsibilitytoinvestigateanyallegationsof improperconductinstate affairs
or publicadministrationandtotake appropriate remedial action.
It isessential thatthe PublicProtectorenjoysthe confidence of SouthAfricans,thatitacts impartially –
withoutprejudiceorfavour– and that itis above reproach.
It isessential thatthe PublicProtectoractsindependently,withinthe law andaccordingtothe
Constitution.
As I indicated,onFriday19 July,the PublicProtectorreleasedareportinwhichshe hasconcludedthatI
violatedthe Executive EthicsCode andthe Constitution.
The findingsthatthe PublicProtectorhasmade againstme are serious.
They allege conductthatcannot – and shouldnot – be takenlightly.
It shouldbe a matterof concernfor all SouthAfricansthatan office of suchConstitutional consequence
as that of the PublicProtectorshouldmake findingsof suchanature againstthe Head of State.

3. It istherefore essential–as it shouldbe inall investigations –thatsuch findingsare basedonfact,that
theyhave a soundlegal basis,thattheyare rational andthat theyhave beenarrivedatthrougha fair,
impartial andlawful process.
Unfortunately,the reportreleasedbythe PublicProtectorfailstosatisfythese crucial requirements.
Aftercareful study,Ihave concludedthatthe reportis fundamentallyandirretrievablyflawed.
Thisis stronglyconfirmedbymylegal representatives.
The report containsnumerousfactual inaccuraciesof amaterial nature.
The findingsare wronginlaw,are irrational and,insome instances,exceedthe scope of the powersof
the PublicProtector.
Furthermore,infailingtoprovide me withanopportunitytocommentonproposedremedial action,the
PublicProtectorhasviolatedprovisionsof the PublicProtectorAct,the Constitutionandprinciplesof
commonlaw.
Giventhese deficiencies,andconsistentwithourConstitutionalarchitecure,itis appropriate thatthe
courts make a final andimpartial determinationonthismatter.
I have therefore decidedtoseekanurgentjudicial reviewof the PublicProtector’sreport,itsfindings
and remedial action.
I have instructedmylegal representativestoprepare anapplicationtothiseffectasa matterof urgency.

4. Giventhe gravityof thismatter – and appreciatingthe effectthatthese findingshave onthe standing
and credibilityof boththe Presidentandthe PublicProtector –it isessential thatthe courtsbe givenan
opportunitytoreviewthe reportandtofindaccordingly.
I have decidedtotake thisactionnot onlyto protectthe rightsthat the Constitutionaffordsme asa
person,butalsoto preserve the integrityof the office thatIoccupy.
I have decidedtotake thisactionnot out of disrespectforthe PublicProtectorasa crucial institutionof
our democracy,butin the expectationthatthe institutionwillultimatelybe strengthenedbyan
independentandimpartialjudicial review.
My decisiontoseekajudicial review of the reportshouldnotbe seenasa commentonthe person,
competence ormotivesof the PublicProtector,butismotivatedinsteadbyadeterminationthatthe law
shouldbe appliedcorrectlyandconsistently.
I am takingthisactionin the firmbelief thatthe Presidentisnotabove the law,andnor isthe Public
Protector.
The PublicProtectorisequallyboundbythe law and,like the President,isanswerabletothe provisions
of the Constitution.
It istherefore appropriate thatwe place the matterbefore the courtsandthat the courts be allowedto
make a determination.
In the meantime,we continue withthe urgentandcritical tasksrequiredtogrow oureconomy,mobilise
investment,create jobs andreduce poverty.
We will notbe distractedfromthe greatresponsibilitywe have toadvance the interestsandneedsof
the SouthAfricanpeople.

5. I thankyou.