They intend to interdict Public Protector Thuli Madonsela from making her preliminary report into alleged State capture public.

The Public Protector was also opposing the interdict on Friday.

The main goal was the release of the report on Friday as planned by outgoing Public Protector Thuli Mdonsela, said the DA.

“The DA, however, does not want to in any way delay the release of the report, and therefore will first determine if the court is willing to hear arguments on the matter before intervening. The first prize must be the immediate release of the report, and the dismissal of the interdict immediately,” the party said.

The DA said it was clear that Van Rooyen was “being used as a proxy in Zuma’s battle to prevent this report from being made public.

“We will not let this go without a fight. We will do everything possible to ensure the report is released.”

Cope spokesman Dennis Bloem said the latest court matter by Zuma was a trick by the President to avoid being held accountable

“This is the latest in a string of unethical conduct by Jacob Zuma to muzzle transparency and accountability in state affairs. This has been his modus operandi since assuming office to try every trick in the book to stonewall investigations intended to reveal the truth of his and cronies’ corrupt activities.”

The EFF said it would ask the court to compel Madonsela to release the report immediately.

Madonsela, who is leaving office Friday at the end of her seven-year term, had earlier in the week announced that she would release her preliminary report into allegations of “state capture” by the controversial Gupta family. The Guptas have been accused of influencing the appointment of cabinet ministers – a prerogative of the President – and other senior government officials in order to benefit their business concerns.

Zuma, who has strong ties to the wealthy Gupta family, on Thursday applied for an interdict to halt the release of the much anticipated report on the alleged capturing of the State and its entities.

Zuma’s application is scheduled to be heard on Tuesday. Van Rooyen’s application, filed on Thursday night, would be heard later on Friday.

This week, Zuma asked Madonsela not to wrap up her investigation into allegations of state capture until he had been allowed to question other witnesses in the investigation.

The President asked for more time and added that he was given two days’ notice before Madonsela interviewed him last Thursday, and was expected to give evidence on matters of which he was not forewarned when she requested the meeting.

Madonsela had indicated that she would release the report on Friday, but has since said on advice from her legal team she would not be doing so.

She, however, insists Zuma has had enough time, since March this year, to answer her questions on alleged Gupta family influence on the State and its entities.

Zuma and Van Rooyen have come under fire for interdicting Madonsela, with political parties and analysts accusing them of panicking and applying delaying tactics in the midst of possible damning findings.

Madonsela has said she would release the last batch of her other investigations on Friday.

ANA