As the most significant figure in South African politics, Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela has become a watchdog for anti-corruption, evident in the execution of her duties throughout 2013. Not only is she a mouthpiece for ordinary citizens, she is also feared by those who continually abuse their powers. Her term in office has been less than tranquil. She has often clashed with parliamentarians from different political organisations as they have continually questioned many investigations she has conducted since assuming office. The mounting pressure to release her findings on the Nkandla Report, the controversy behind her reports on IEC Chairperson Pansy Tlakula and former Communications Minister Dina Pule are some of the issues that have been at the pinnacle of these clashes. Those found gulity by Madonsela include former Communications Minister Dina Pule and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Tina Joemat-Pettersson.
“I am not confused by my mandate”
Nkandla Report The Public Protector has been placed under enormous pressure to release the findings on President Jabob Zuma’s homestead in Kwa-Zulu Natal. Madonsela is investigating whether state money was abused for what’s described as “security upgrades” at President Jacob Zuma’s homestead in Nkandla. In January, Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi admitted that government had spent R206 million on upgrades and consultants.
Recently, her office has been accused of leaking provisional reports to the media and not doing enough to stop them from emanating from her office. She then welcomed calls by the South African Communist Party and the African National Congress Youth League for an investigation into her conduct. Despite all this, she has held her guard, shaken off all the pressure and has indicated that the integrity of the Nkandla Report has not been compromised.
Video: Thuli Madonsela says the draft provisional report into upgrades at Zuma’s Nkandla home was only given to five security cluster ministers electronically with passwords. She says her office gave another to the Judge who heard the cluster minister’s legal bid to delay the release of the report. IEC and Pansy Tlakula Report Prior to her report, Madonsela was criticised by opposition parties for delaying her investigation into her close friend and IEC Chairperson Pansy Tlakula, questioning whether she had been selective in probing her. After an extensive investigation, she then released a damning report against Tlakula and her executive committee. The findings included gross maladministration with the procurement of the Riverside Office Park building in Centurion for the IEC’s head office, and conflict of interest as Tlakula was accused of being romantically involved with Parliament’s Finance Portfolio Committee Chairperson Thaba Mufamadi.
“I am not confused by my mandate” In her recent briefing to the media, Madonsela states that she has no role in politics and has no interest in interfering in people’s political decisions and won’t get involved in political mudslinging. Despite enormous criticism levelled against her, the Public Protector has held her guard high, and executed her duties with integrity and without fail. She has indicated that she is confident that she has a good relationship with the Justice Portfolio Committee and that her work has been praised.
Audio: Thuli Madonsela speaks about Good Governance – 18 October 2013
– By Paballo Lephaka
