Mkhwebane: Vrede investigations involving politicians at “advanced stage”

On Friday, the Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane, has declared to Parliament that she achieved 72% of her performance targets, for the 2018/19 financial year, and that the office received an unqualified audit opinion with material statements.

Mkhwebane: “This renders this office somewhat toothless”

Mkhwebane elaborates that 40 organs of state have looked “the other way” when her office points them to their administrative lapses, and they partly implemented her remedial action during the 2018/19 year; she further reiterates that her office’s remedial actions are legally binding unless set aside by a court of law.

“This is in spite of the instructive Constitutional Court decision, which clarified once and for all, that my remedial action is binding unless set aside by a court of law.

This leaves a lot of the complainants, in whose favour we have made findings and taken appropriate remedial action, in limbo. Moreover, owing to insufficient resources, my office cannot afford to have the remedial action we have taken, enforced through the courts. As far as the affected parties are concerned, this renders this office somewhat toothless.”

Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane

Mkhwebane announces the Vrede Dairy Farm investigation into politicians is at an “advanced stage”

Proud of her progress, Mkhwebane announces that the Vrede Dairy Farm investigation into politicians is at an “advanced stage”; and despite R110.8 million budget shortfall, the office reduced a deficit of R22.8 million down to R3.5 millon at the end of 2018/19 financial year, the public protector details some examples of monies recovered:

• Bapo Ba Mogale Administration – R248 million
• North West Department of Rural, Environmental and Agricultural Development – R3.5 million
• Pikitup – R2.9 million
• Carol Bouwer Productions (Nelson Mandela Memorial) – R4.5 million
• Critical positions – R49.7 million
• Professional fees – R41.7 million
• Security – R19.4 million

Mkhwebane trusts that crowdfunding should pay for her legal costs

The public protector states crowdfunding should pay for her “personal” legal costs, as an order comes from people who understand “our democracy is in danger”, due to intimidation of court reviews, and further states that legal opinion and the donations will be declared officially.

Mkhwebane reports that she was elected President of the African Ombudsman and Mediators Association (AMOA), and declares to have reported that attacks made against her by Members of the Executive, to Parliament Speaker, Thandi Modise, as Mkhwebane cites the attacks are in contravention of the Constitution.

Deputy Public Protector: “Madonsela never raised anything about security clearance”

The public protector says her Deputy, Advocate Kevin Malunga, cannot get top clearance from State Security Agency, because he has not been “naturalized South African” for 20 years.

“I was working on all sorts of high profile matters including Free State website and Mandela Funeral. Madonsela never raised anything about security clearance. It’s okay though, I’m done in any event.”

Deputy Public Protector, Advocate Kevin Malunga