Public Protector concerned about online petition using her name

Public Protector, Adv. Thuli Madonsela, has noted the existence of an online petition calling for the resignation of the President, using her name.

The Public Protector is concerned that the petition in question gives an impression that she is behind it or that it has her backing.

The truth is that the Public Protector is neither the initiator of the petition nor does she have anything to do with it.

The Public Protector only communicated for the first time with the initiator last Sunday morning, in response to the initiator’s “direct message” on a social networking site. The initiator was seeking the assistance of the Public Protector’s office.

The Public Protector indicated to the initiator that her office was not the right body for the petition and that, constitutionally; there was nothing her office could do, except forward the petition to the President and Parliament.

While people have a constitutional right to express themselves whichever way they want, that right does not extend to abusing somebody else’s name for own interests.

The organisers of the petition are advised to take the petition directly to the Presidency.

The Public Protector regrets any perceptions that may have been created to suggest that she is the driving force behind the petition.

For more information, contact:

Ms Kgalalelo Masibi
Spokesperson: Public Protector South Africa
Cell: 079 507 0399
Email: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
www.publicprotector.org
@PublicProtector

Public Protector South Africa