JOHANNESBURG — Anomalies in the code governing the declaration of the president’s assets contributed to why President Jacob Zuma was late in declaring his interests, his attorney said after the information was finally submitted yesterday.

“There were certain anomalies in the code,” said Michael Hulley, referring to the Executive Ethics Code, which sets out the declaration of personal financial interests.

One of the clauses in the code states that if a gift worth more than R1 000 has been offered, permission to retain it must be sought from the president.

“The president, in essence, sits in judgment of himself,” explained Hulley.

Hot on the heels of a scandal about a child born from an extramarital liaison, Zuma returned from a state visit to the UK — where some of the media had mocked his polygamy and corruption trial — to face criticism over failing to declare his and his family’s personal financial interests. He was supposed to have declared them within 60 days of taking office last May, but according to a weekend report some in the presidency felt he did not have to submit a declaration.

This was followed by a statement from presidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya that it is taking time because Zuma’s family is so large. He has three wives and 20 children.

Yesterday, according to a statement on the presidency’s website, Zuma submitted his list to Vusi Mavimbela, the director- general in his office, who is also the secretary to the cabinet.

Hulley said the process has been under way for “quite some time — from the last quarter of last year”.

“Obviously we had to look at the nature of the declaration that needed to be made, certain anomalies in the code.

“It was not drafted specifically for the president. How he has done it is he has applied the same standard that he would be asked to apply if it were another member of the executive,” Hulley said of how the list was compiled with Mavimbela.

He considered the overall spirit in which the gift was given, with the items he kept being of “immense personal and symbolic value”.

“None of them are of extraordinary benefit,” added Hulley.

A copy of the list was not immediately available, with the presidency referring requests to Hulley. Later the presidency said a request should be put in writing to its director-general.

However, according to Hulley’s earlier statement, “The president does not hold any directorship, membership or shareholding in any company, either public or private, nor is he associated in any way therewith. The suggestions to the contrary are devoid of any truth and are regrettable.”

He said he does not wish to comment on suggestions from the presidency and the ANC that because Zuma has a large family, it is taking a long time.

“It was one of the factors that had been brought under consideration,” he said.

ANC spokesman Brian Sokutu faces a disciplinary procedure for saying that while Zuma respects the rule of law, his large family has complicated the process. Hulley said the family is aware of its obligations to declare their financial interests.

Asked whether the Democratic Alliance will withdraw its request to the Public Protector to investigate the matter, MP Athol Trollip said: “Absolutely not.”

“This is one of the things that concerns me most about what happens in this country.

“The president has made a declaration almost eight months later than he should have. If you submit your tax return eight months late, there will be penalties,” he said.

Trollip believes it is public pressure and the DA’s complaint that led to the declaration being submitted.