Lawyers for South African President Jacob Zuma are attempting to block a report by anti-corruption chief Thuli Madonsela.
Her interim report threatens to expose the extent of corruption and cronyism at the top levels of South Africa leadership.
The legal action comes just hours before Ms Madonsela, South Africa’s public protector, steps down from her job.
Her investigation has examined allegations of corruption linked to the controversial Indian family the Guptas, who it is alleged enjoy close ties to Mr Zuma and have been accused of influencing the appointment of cabinet ministers. They deny all the allegations.
The delay means the investigation will fall into the hands of the incoming anti-corruption chief Busisiwe Mkhwebane.
She is a former South African diplomat, who some have accused of being a spy loyal to the governing African National Congress (ANC), and she may have less appetite to probe the country’s leadership.
Meanwhile, one of Ms Madonsela’s most loyal defenders, the outspoken politician Julius Malema, has been served with a summons (see earlier posts).
That too is being widely seen as a move to try to silence criticism, through the courts – a tactic which seems to be becoming an all too familiar pattern in South African politics.
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