Protecting the Protector: SAPS vs. Public Protector round 2
The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with extreme concern, the reports that the SAPS is on the point of arresting the Public Protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, for crimes which are unclear, but apparently relate to her tenure as a member of the SA Law Reform Commission (see report).
This allegation is of particular concern when seen in the light of the following circumstances:
Advocate Madonsela was appointed by the President in October 2009, after a selection process in Parliament wherein she received the full support of all parties in Parliament. No allegations were made at that time of any wrongdoing.
The police investigation reportedly commenced in February this year, at around the time the Public Protector released her first report into the SAPS lease in Pretoria, in which she found the actions of Commissioner Bheki Cele to be unlawful, and also found fault with the actions of the Public Works department.
Advocate Madonsela is on the verge of releasing her second report into the SAPS lease in Durban, which is by all accounts more damning than the first report.