Public Protector unhappy with some
state law advisors
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela has complained that
attorneys advising organs of state against implementing her
remedial action have become “superimposed as review panels”
of her decisions.
She was speaking at a meeting with stakeholders, which
included provincial government leaders, local government
authorities and civil society in Polokwane on Wednesday.
Addressing delegates, the Public Protector said her office
was only subject to the constitution and the law,
emphasising that state legal advisors had no authority to
tell government not to implement.
She said courts were therefore the only institutions that
had a final say on whether her findings and remedial action
are rational or not. “In the event organs of state are
unhappy with our findings and the accompanying remedial
action, they should take us to court on review,” the Public
Protector said.
Delegates including Agriculture MEC Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba and
Polokwane Executive Mayor Freddy Greaver concurred that
failure to implement the Public Protector’s remedial action
was defeating the institution’s purpose of supporting and
strengthening constitutional democracy.
They added that leaders in government had a responsibility
to act promptly upon receipt of the Public Protector’s
report with a view to ensure administrative justice and
accountability.
The meeting formed part of a nationwide roadshow dubbed “The
Public Protector Dialogues with the Nation.”
Aimed at soliciting feedback regarding the work of the
Public Protector and foster a common understanding of the
institution’s mandate and role, the programme focuses on the
importance of implementing the Public Protector’s remedial
action.
This is for purposes of ensuring administrative justice by
organs of state in respect of service failure and ensuring
accountability in the exercise of state power and control
over public resources.
For more information, contact:
Kgalalelo Masibi
Senior Manager: Outreach, Education and Communications
Tel: (012) 366 7006
Cell: 079 507 0399
Email:
kgalalelom@pprotect.org
www.publicprotector.org
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