DAFF is undermining the office of the public protector

The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' response to  the findings of the Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela, on the awarding of the R800 million fisheries patrol tender is a last ditch effort to protect Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson from being held accountable. 

The reality is that this is the second time that the Public Protector has found Minister Joemat-Pettersson's conduct wanting. The pressure is now rightfully mounting for her to be removed from cabinet - once and for all.

It now seems that the Department, no doubt with the support of the Minister, is working hard to discredit the report and therefore its recommendations. This undoubtedly undermines the Office of the Public Protector and the constitutional office she holds.

This runs contrary to section 181(3) of the Constitution which states "Other organs of state, through legislative and other measures, must assist and protect these [chapter nine institutions] to ensure the independence, impartiality and dignity and effectiveness of these institutions."

Should either the Department or the Minister have any substantive concerns regarding the report, then they should rather take this up in the appropriate fashion and not through a PR campaign that undermines this important chapter nine institution.

The DA re-iterates our call for President Jacob Zuma to speedily act on the recommendations of the Public Protector and to accordingly relieve Minister Joemat-Pettersson of her duties as a matter of extreme importance.

Statement issued by Pieter van Dalen MP, DA Shadow Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, January 14 2014

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