Public Protector pledges to partner with new government appointees to promote good governance

Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela on Friday congratulated Mr. Senzo Mchunu on his election and subsequent swearing-in as the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal last week, vowing to work together with him to entrench good governance in the affairs of the provincial government.

The Public Protector also extended a laudatory message to Mr Mxolisi Nxasana and Adv. Vasantrai Soni on the commencement of their service this week as National Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of Special Investigating Unit (SIU), respectively, following their appointments in August. She welcomed the appointment of Judge Bernard Ngoepe as the country’s first Tax Ombud.

“We pledge to partner with them on matters of mutual interest regarding the promotion of good governance in state affairs,” the Public Protector said.

The Public Protector recently signed a response protocol aimed at expediting investigation processes in cases involving high-ranking officials and office bearers in the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government with former Premier, Dr. Zweli Mkhize.

The Public Protector has previously partnered with the SIU in investigations, and can, in terms of the Public Protector Act, refer matters to the National Prosecution Authority in the event her investigations point to the commission of criminal offences.

She is on record encouraging organs of state to establish internal complaint-handling mechanisms such as sector-specific ombudsmen.

The Public Protector further bade farewell to Dr Mkhize and former Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Andries Nel, who has since been appointed Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

“We’ve had a fruitful partnership against maladministration with Dr Mkhize and Mr Nel,” she said, adding that her office looked forward to working with Mr Nel and Minister Lechesa Tsenoli on local government matters.

Kgalalelo Masibi
Public Protector Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 366 7006
Cell: 079 507 0399
Email: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
www.publicprotector.org