A South African court granted on Friday President Jacob Zuma leave to appeal a judgment that ordered him to submit the record and reasons of his decision to reshuffle the cabinet in March.

Zuma's application for leave to appeal was argued in the North Gauteng High Court before Judge Bashier Vally agreed to okay the president to appeal his earlier judgment to the Supreme Court of the Appeal.

South African President and ruling party African National Congress President Jacob Zuma takes part in an inter-faith prayer held for him on May 14, 2017 in Durban, South Africa. /VCG Photo

In early May, Judge Vally ruled that Zuma must provide reasons for the cabinet reshuffle and hand over cabinet reshuffle records to the opposition Democratic Alliance (DA), which had approached the North Gauteng High Court.

The records allegedly contain intelligence Zuma used as "an excuse" to fire Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in the cabinet reshuffle, which also saw the sacking or replacement of nine other ministers.

Zuma reportedly told the top leadership of African National Congress (ANC)  before the reshuffle that he had received intelligence that Gordhan was seeking foreign assistance to topple him.

Supporters of various opposition parties hold placards calling for the removal of President Jacob Zuma outside the Constitutional Court in Johannesburg, South Africa, May 15, 2017. /VCG Photo

Zuma later said the cabinet reshuffle was based on the intelligence.

The reshuffle prompted international rating agencies Standard & Poor's and Fitch to downgrade South Africa's sovereign credit to junk status, on April 3 and 7 respectively.

In his application for leave to appeal, Zuma contended that there was a reasonable prospect that another court would come to a different decision from that of the North Gauteng High Court and that the matter is one of considerable importance to the parties and the country.

South African President Jacob Zuma tours the World Economic Forum on Africa meeting in Durban, South Africa, May 3, 2017. /VCG Photo

In handing down the judgment on Friday, the court emphasized that the public interest in this case following the judgment has been wide, deep and intense and warranted that the issues raised by this particular matter be considered by the Supreme Court of Appeal.

The court further agreed that there is merit in the contention by Zuma that the earlier order had far-reaching implications and therefore warranted the attention of a higher court.

Zuma's spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said the president welcomed the decision of the high court.

(Source: Xinhua)