President Jacob Zuma is expected to issue a statement on Wednesday regarding the controversy over the declaration of his interests, one of his legal advisors said on Monday.

"By Wednesday morning, a statement will be issued on behalf of the President in relation to exactly what the position would be," said Michael Hulley, one of the lawyers working "generally" on the matter.

This followed a report, and confirmation by Zuma's office, that he did not declare his interests after taking office last year.

The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), who believes that this violated Section 5 of the Executive Ethics Code, said that they would ask the Public Protector to investigate.

Meanwhile, Zuma's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said that Zuma had been waiting for clarification from his legal team, as there had been a difference of opinion in his office on whether he had to declare his interests or not.

"People should also appreciate that while the President has been waiting for clarification from the legal team, he has also instructed that a submission be prepared for purposes of declaration in the event that it was found that he has to declare," Magwenya told Sapa.

A preamble signed by Zuma when he was he was Acting President in 2000 reads: "In terms of section 2 (1) of the Executive Members' Ethics Act, 1998 (Act No. 82 of 1998), I hereby, after consultation with Parliament, publish the Executive Ethics Code with which Members of the Cabinet, Deputy Ministers and Members of Provincial Executive Councils must comply in performing their official responsibilities."

This then goes on to include a list of which interests must be declared and whether members have to excuse themselves from committees if there may be a conflict of interest.

Section 91 of the Constitution defines the Cabinet as: "The Cabinet consists of the President, as head of the Cabinet, a Deputy President and Ministers".

Magwenya said that the President, through his office had told the Sunday Independent that he had not declared his interests, in response to questions put to them.
"It is not as if the President was hiding anything," he said.

If the President was hiding something, he would not have given such an open and forthright response, continued Magwenya.

He said that the declaration of interests currently being worked on, in case Zuma was required to submit one, would include verifying the interests of his large family and dependent children, which is expected to take some time.

Zuma has three wives and 20 children.

"That process is already underway. He will want to see it completed as soon as possible."