The security cluster welcomes the decision by the North Gauteng High Court to grant the State a hearing on its application for a deadline extension for comment on the Public Protector’s interim report covering the upgrades at the President’s residence in Nkandla.
The security cluster respects the office of the Public Protector; equally the cluster recognises the need for all the concerned government departments to properly and sufficiently engage with the interim report in order to ensure a balance between transparency and accountability in the interest of the public and the security and legislative protocols that are applicable to locations designated as National Key points as covered by the National Key Points Act of 2010.
The decision to refer the matter to court follows a series of unsuccessful attempts by the security cluster to obtain from the office of the Public Protector a reasonable extension to provide comments on the interim report.
The investigation by the Public Protector was carried over a period of about a year covering a wide scope of legislative and security issues that may not be adequately covered for comment over a few days.
Enquiries:
Phumla Williams
Cell: 083 501 0139
