SPEAKER KEEPING PUBLIC PROTECTOR REPORT UNDER LOCK AND KEY AS REQUESTED 

15 October 2016

This morning ANC Chief Whip, Cde Jackson Mthembu, had discussion with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete, regarding the purported decision to return the report handed to her by former Public Protector, Adv Thuli Madonsela, for safekeeping until the new Public Protector comes into office.  The Speaker has categorically distanced herself from the grossly inaccurate statement issued by the Parliamentary Communications Services as its contents neither represent her view nor her instruction to the staff of parliament on the matter.

The Speaker has confirmed that indeed the report, as requested, is currently being kept under lock and key in Parliament and will be handed over to the new Public Protector, Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane, without delay when she assumes office on Monday, 17 October 2016. 

The Speaker's handling of the matter in this regard is appropriate and is accordingly fully supported and appreciated by us.

We are disappointed by the inaccurate statement by an official in the Parliamentary Communications Services, which created an erroneous notion in the media that the Speaker has outrightly declined to take custody of the report.

Statement issued by the Office of the ANC Chief, 15 October 2016