LAW SOCIETY CALLS FOR HALT TO UNWARRANTED AND SCURRILOUS ATTACKS ON THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR

The Law Society of South Africa (LSSA) calls for the immediate cessation to the unwarranted and scurrilous attacks on the Public Protector and on the work of her Office.

‘It is unacceptable that the Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela, should be the target of undeserved attacks - even of a personal nature - and that her integrity and that of her Office and staff is questioned at every turn. The Office of the Public Protector is carrying out its mandate in terms of the Constitution. Her Office is a Chapter Nine institution which is independent and subject only to the Constitution and the law,' say LSSA Co-Chairpersons, Max Boqwana and Ettienne Barnard. The Constitution enjoins all organs of state - including the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary - to assist and protect the Public Protector.

‘Persons or organisations that have problems or disagree with her reports should follow the proper legal route to challenge the reports and call for them to be reviewed. Only a court of law can review her reports. However, such organisations and persons must guard against involving the Office of the Public Protector in unnecessary litigation as this will add to the financial and human resource burdens of her Office, which is already inundated with investigations on behalf of the public,' say Mr Boqwana and Mr Barnard.

Statement issued by Max Boqwana and Ettienne Barnard, Co-Chairpersons of the Law Society of South Africa, September 10 2014

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