Picture: for illustration purposes
Public calls for a redacted version of the Lady R report, which cleared the South African government from any wrongdoing related to the sanctioned Russian cargo vessel, have incited reactions from retired Judge Phineas Mojapelo. Speaking to News24, he stated that the report isn't his to dictate.
His investigation, resulting in the clearance, led to the production of a report which the judge says belongs to President Cyril Ramaphosa. It is therefore the president's prerogative to reveal its contents to the public.
According to Mojapelo, should the report be a court judgment, it would adhere to a set of guidelines, distinguishing it from an investigation report. He clarified that although he didn't have free rein over the report's content, he was allowed to communicate his findings to the president.
However, considering potential litigations surrounding the freighter report, Mojapelo emphasized that the courts should take charge and declined further comments on the matter.
President Ramaphosa has released an executive summary of the report, yet public sentiment is leaning toward the need for the detailed report to be revealed.