Accountability central to democracy

 Public Protector Adv Thuli Madonsela says her office and the media have a responsibility to ensure that those entrusted with public power are subject to public accountability.

Speaking during a public lecture at the University of Stellenbosch’s School of Public Leadership in Cape Town on Wednesday, the Public Protector said accountability should never be seen as belittling, degrading or irritating.

“Public accountability is one of the checks and balances for preventing or curbing excesses in the exercise of power,” she told public leaders, academics and students.

The Public Protector said it was imperative that commitment to the rule of law, which included an understanding that nobody was above the law or accountability, be maintained.

She said public accountability sought to ensure that the enormous power wielded by public authorities was exercised within the agreed parameters.

She added that her office believed that accountability ought to apply to both public and private actors involved in state affairs as corruption was a bilateral affair.

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For more information, contact:

Kgalalelo Masibi
Senior Manager: Outreach, Education and Communications
Tel: (012) 366 7069
Cell: 079 507 0399
Email: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
www.publicprotector.org