Public Protector lends Eastern Cape communities an ear

Public Protector Adv. Busisiwe Mkhwebane will on Wednesday be in Mqanduli outside Mthatha, Eastern Cape to hold unmediated talks with communities in the area.

The Public Protector’s interaction with communities in the area follows is part of her ongoing nationwide stakeholder consultative forums aimed at introducing herself to stakeholders as the country’s fourth Public Protector, spell out her vision for the office over the next seven years and grant audiences an opportunity to raise with her any matter of concern relating to her office and the work it does.

Adv. Mkhwebane has since February visited over 12 towns, townships and rural areas across the country interacting with communities. These include Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Bloemfontein, Mahikeng, Thohoyandou, Polokwane, Ermelo and Thaba Nchu and Ngilanyoni.

At these events, communities raised with the Public Protector service delivery concerns, including lack of employment opportunities, access to land, issues with the provisions of water, electricity and RDP houses; and allegations of corruption and nepotism in some municipalities.

Adv. Mkhwebane said she hopes to have had a meaningful dialogue with stakeholders, including government leaders, lawmakers, political parties, civil society and the general public at the conclusion of the roadshow next month.

“I have taken note of some of the concerns you have been expressing through various avenues, including social media and phone-in programmes on radio. I call on you to use these meetings as to engage me directly for answers,” Adv. Mkhwebane said.

The Public Protector assured communities they will be given an opportunity to lodge service and conduct failure complaints for investigation during the engagements. A team of investigators will accompany her for this purpose.

Following her interaction with communities in Mthatha, Adv. Mkhwebane will then proceed to Port Elizabeth where she is scheduled to address the Young Men’s Guild (YMG) Convention in Port Elizabeth on Thursday.

The Public Protector’s address will focus The Role of Christians in our democracy

The Mqanduli engagement, also held under the theme “Broadening Access: Taking the Public Protector to the Grassroots”, will take place as follows:

Meeting with Mqanduli residents

Address at YGM in Port Elizabeth is scheduled as follows:

Members of the media are invited to cover the events and are encouraged to RSVP by contacting Mr Salvation Mokgatlhe on 062 218 9348 or by email salvationm@pprotect.org

For more information, contact:

Oupa Segalwe
Senior Manager: Communications
Public Protector South Africa
Cell: 072 264 3273
Tel: 012 366 7035
Email: salvationm@pprotect.org
@PublicProtector
Public Protector South Africa