President Jacob Zuma today withdrew his application to interdict the release of the Public Protector’s report into “state capture” – which will be released on her website before 5pm today.
Twitter was abuzz as many users called for Zuma to withdraw from the presidency as well as the interdict. They also raised questions regarding the money that was wasted on legal fees.
And then there was the speculation about why Zuma withdrew his legal challenge and what his next move will be.
#StateCapture If @SAPresident #Zuma is held personally liable for the legal costs, which bank is going to loan the money?
— Nickolaus Bauer (@NickolausBauer) November 2, 2016
How many nails can Zuma's coffin take, I wonder
— Max du Preez (@MaxduPreez) November 2, 2016
Surely Zuma and Van Rooyen must personally #paybackthemoney for wasting taxpayer's funds in legal challenge against State Capture interdict?
— Alec Hogg (@alechogg) November 2, 2016
Now that Zuma has withdrawn the bid to stop the State Capture report to be released. All that is left is for him to announce his resignation
— Bonga Brian Mthiyane (@bonga_brian) November 2, 2016
Taking the State Capture Report on review will open pandora's box for Zuma. He won't do it when that opportunity presents itself.
— Agent Provocateur (@De_Imperial) November 2, 2016
Zuma has withdrawn the state capture report interdict, now he must withdraw himself from the presidency. He's been a very costly nightmare.
— Africa Yearning (@africa_yearning) November 2, 2016
Is this Zuma’s endgame? Hopefully the state capture report will be the final nail.
— Ryk van Niekerk (@Ryk_van_Niekerk) November 2, 2016
Wouldn’t it be ironic if the Gupta’s paid Zuma’s legal fees for his failed attempt to stop the publication of the state capture report.
— Ryk van Niekerk (@Ryk_van_Niekerk) November 2, 2016
I think Zuma has seen the report. Why would he withdraw now? Unless he's prepping to throw in the towel #StateCaptureReport
— InsideCollective (@pemmymatsunyane) November 2, 2016
Why doesn't Zuma just withdraw his entire presidency and cabinet? There is a decent withdrawal!
— Khutso Ngoasheng (@SpaceKhutso) November 2, 2016
The rand raced to R13.37 to the US dollar after lunchtime after Zuma withdrew his bid.
The report, which focuses on state capture by Zuma’s close friends the Guptas, is expected to be explosive.