Des van Rooyen withdraws 'state capture' interdict application

Johannesburg – Co-operative Governance Minister Des van Rooyen has withdrawn his urgent application to interdict the release of the public protector’s “state capture” report.

The matter was due to be heard along with a bid by President Jacob Zuma on November 1.

According to the notice of withdrawal to the high court, in News24’s possession, Van Rooyen asked that his application be withdrawn as the public protector had made no adverse findings against him.

No purpose would be served by pursuing the application, he said.

He brought the application on October 14, saying he had not been given enough time to respond to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s report into state capture.

The previous day, Zuma announced a notice to apply for an interdict to stop the release of the much-anticipated report.

Madonsela initiated the investigation following numerous allegations that the influential Gupta family was influencing Zuma’s Cabinet appointments.