President Cyril Ramaphosa has submitted an interim responding affidavit in the Bhisho High Court, in response to an urgent application filed by Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. This is a big blow to Mabuyane’s legal team that will leave his lawyers in tears.
According to reports, Mabuyane’sapplication seeks to halt the investigation carried out by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) into allegations of maladministration and impropriety against him.
Meanwhile, as the first respondent, President Ramaphosa is contesting the allegations, which specifically pertain to the awarding of degrees at the University of Fort Hare. In his submission, President Ramaphosa has requested that the application be either struck off the roll or dismissed with costs.
Furthermore, he argues that Mabuyane’s application for a judicial review of the President’s decision to instruct the SIU to investigate the allegations holds no viable prospects of success.
In addition, President Ramaphosa has also expressed his dissatisfaction with the limited four working days given to him by Mabuyane to respond to the application, highlighting that this timeframe has caused prejudice to him. President Ramaphosa’s affidavit serves as his official response to Premier Mabuyane’s attempt to prevent the SIU from pursuing the investigation.
The allegations surrounding the University of Fort Hare’s degree awarding process are being vehemently disputed by the President. His filing seeks to have Mabuyane’s application dismissed, emphasizing the lack of merit and probability of success in the requested judicial review.
With this submission, President Ramaphosa aims to defend himself against the accusations raised by Premier Mabuyane and to safeguard the integrity of the investigation conducted by the SIU.
While Oscar Mabuyane nurtures his wounds, Ace Magashule is also in tears following his expulsion from the ANC. President Cyril Ramaphosa is slowing taking out all his political enemies, from Jacob Zuma, to Carl Niehaus, to Ace Magashule. Who is next?