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| SA opposition call for Zuma probe | SA opposition call for Zuma probe |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| South Africa's opposition leader has called for an investigation into whether President Jacob Zuma has broken the government's strict ethics code. | South Africa's opposition leader has called for an investigation into whether President Jacob Zuma has broken the government's strict ethics code. |
| This says all members of the cabinet must declare their financial interests within 60 days of taking office. | This says all members of the cabinet must declare their financial interests within 60 days of taking office. |
| He has not done so nine months after his inauguration - his spokesman said there was a difference of opinion. | He has not done so nine months after his inauguration - his spokesman said there was a difference of opinion. |
| But the president's spokesman says he is compiling the list in case legal advice indicates he should do so. | But the president's spokesman says he is compiling the list in case legal advice indicates he should do so. |
| "Mr Zuma is not hiding anything," his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told local media. | "Mr Zuma is not hiding anything," his spokesperson Vincent Magwenya told local media. |
| His failure to declare demonstrates the level of contempt this president has for transparency in government Athol TrollipDemocratic Alliance | His failure to declare demonstrates the level of contempt this president has for transparency in government Athol TrollipDemocratic Alliance |
| But opposition Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille retorted: "If he had nothing to hide... he would simply declare his interests and the presidency would not be doing legal somersaults to find a reason for him not to declare." | |
| The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says Mr Zuma seems to be buckling under the mounting pressure. | |
| 'Contempt' | 'Contempt' |
| Local media reported at the weekend that Mr Zuma has not declared his business dealings, leading to renewed calls from the Congress of South African Trade Unions, Cosatu - a partner of the ANC in government. | Local media reported at the weekend that Mr Zuma has not declared his business dealings, leading to renewed calls from the Congress of South African Trade Unions, Cosatu - a partner of the ANC in government. |
| "We believe that you cannot be a people's champion during the day but at night you count shares that have been obtained through exploitation," said the union's General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, the Sapa news agency reports. | "We believe that you cannot be a people's champion during the day but at night you count shares that have been obtained through exploitation," said the union's General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, the Sapa news agency reports. |
| The DA says Mr Zuma's apparent lack of transparency had cast a shadow on his intentions to end corruption in government and uphold the constitution. | The DA says Mr Zuma's apparent lack of transparency had cast a shadow on his intentions to end corruption in government and uphold the constitution. |
| Ms Zille wants the Public Protector to investigate whether Mr Zuma had violated the Code of Conduct by his actions and warns the delay may cause mistrust. | Ms Zille wants the Public Protector to investigate whether Mr Zuma had violated the Code of Conduct by his actions and warns the delay may cause mistrust. |
| "His failure to declare demonstrates the level of contempt this president has for transparency in government," said party MP Athol Trollip. | "His failure to declare demonstrates the level of contempt this president has for transparency in government," said party MP Athol Trollip. |
| "President Zuma needs to stop trying to bend the law to suit his interests. President Mbeki declared his interests. The law is absolutely explicit that a president must declare his interests." | "President Zuma needs to stop trying to bend the law to suit his interests. President Mbeki declared his interests. The law is absolutely explicit that a president must declare his interests." |
| Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille backed the call. | Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille backed the call. |
| Mr Zuma is the latest to be called upon to reveal his interests, after he recently rejected calls from Cosatu for government ministers and politicians to undergo a "lifestyle audit" to ensure they are not living beyond their stated means. | Mr Zuma is the latest to be called upon to reveal his interests, after he recently rejected calls from Cosatu for government ministers and politicians to undergo a "lifestyle audit" to ensure they are not living beyond their stated means. |
| Our reporter says this decision may now be closely scrutinised. | Our reporter says this decision may now be closely scrutinised. |
| Mr Zuma's attorney Michael Hulley, who also handled his rape trial, is currently handling the matter - the list will include records of the interests of his three wives and 20 children. | Mr Zuma's attorney Michael Hulley, who also handled his rape trial, is currently handling the matter - the list will include records of the interests of his three wives and 20 children. |