He described the move as an “ill-conceived attempt” to have the report by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela set aside.

The DA is one of the respondents in the case.

“With the electorate, as well as large portions of his own party rejecting him, this is a desperate move by Jacob Zuma to delay the inevitable - the last kicks of a dying horse,” Maimane said in a statement.

“I have already laid criminal charges last month against… Zuma and his band of cronies, for their role in aiding, promoting and benefiting from the corrosive project of State Capture in South Africa. In a meeting with the Head of the Serious Commercial Crimes Unit last week, it was confirmed to me that the Hawks will be investigating these charges.”

Constitutional responsibility

He said the party would make sure that the president and “all those who aid and abet him are held accountable for their flagrant abuse of power to make themselves rich - at the expense of the poor and the jobless”.

Zuma on Friday approached the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria to review and set aside the remedial action recommendations of the State of Capture report, challenging the recommendation that a commission of inquiry be established.

According to the court papers, it "violates the rule of law that it is inconsistent with the Constitution and breaches the separation of powers principle".

He said any attempt to implement the remedial action would be an abdication of his constitutional responsibility, rendering the judicial inquiry "unlawful and a nullity".

Zuma argued that the decision to establish a commission of inquiry, as well as its head, was his.

Madonsela investigated allegations of an improper relationship between Zuma and the powerful and politically-connected Gupta family whom the president has referred to as his friends.

Madonsela said in the report she didn't have the resources to finish the investigation and recommended a judicial inquiry.

Presidency spokesperson, Dr Bongani Ngqulunga, confirmed that the application was launched to review and set aside the remedial action recommendation.

“The President is also asking the court to refer the matter back to the Public Protector for further investigation,” he said, adding that the Presidency had last month announced that Zuma would take the remedial action on review.

-News24.com