Call for the media to stop speculating on the SAPS lease matter

Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela would like to call on the media and the public to refrain from speculating about the findings of hers and the Special Investigation Unit's investigation into the alleged lease agreement for the police headquarters in Pretoria as the matter is still being finalised.

This follows a story published by a Sunday paper, which quotes a document allegedly submitted to the Public Protector and the SIU for consideration as part of the two institution's investigation into this matter.

As far as we are concerned, the information contained in the story in question does not represent the Public Protector's findings in the matter as the report is still being finalised. There should be a clear distinction between a document that is alleged to have been submitted to the investigation team and a report of the Public Protector.

To date, the Public Protector has been evaluating comments received from three organs of state and one complainant. An additional witness was also interviewed. The draft report is being scrutinised with a view to establish whether any of the new information calls for the review of any of the findings.

The Public Protector plans to release the report by mid February 2011 and will advice about the exact release date as soon as the report is ready.

Statement issued by Oupa Segalwe, Manager: Outreach, Education and Communications, Public Protector, February 7 2011

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