committee report
2 July 2007
The Public Protector Adv Mabedle Lawrence Mushwana has welcomed the report
of the National Assembly's ad hoc committee on operational problems in the
Office of the Public Protector. It confirms that the institution of the Public
Protector is functioning well and that there are weekly meetings held with the
Deputy Public Protector, Adv Mamiki Shai, on the running of the
institution.
The Public Protector was indeed approached by committee chairman Professor
Kader Asmal with a view to encourage a settlement of the court action. However,
the Public Protector maintains that he will withdraw the legal action only if
he receives an unequivocal apology from the deputy and the newspaper concerned
for the allegations made. In the absence of such an apology or an alternative
remedy from the committee, he has no other option but to use the courts to
clear his name.
The Deputy Public Protector said she appreciated the report of the
committee. "It is true that the Deputy instructed her attorneys to file a
counterclaim which was based on the initial publications to which the Public
Protector finds action. The Deputy is awaiting a public apology for the
wrongful publications and it is on this basis that we can both consider putting
the matter at rest. Deputy trusts that the court will resolve the matter," Adv
Shai said.
Both parties are still waiting for a court date from the High Court.
For more information contact:
Charles Phahlane
Tel: 012 366 7006
Cell: 082 856 8188
Issued by: Office of the Public Protector
2 July 2007
Source: SAPA
