The Office of North West Premier Thandi Modise has dismissed the suggestions that a nasty confrontation is looming between Premier Modise and the Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela as a hypocritical attempt to create public perception of a state that is in a crisis.
The article published on page 12 of the Sunday World of 29 September 2013 under the heading “Premier faces off with Madonsela” quoted Premier Thandi Modise’s remarks on the need for the Public Protector and the Select Committee of Public Accounts Committee (Scopa) to engage directly with her office regarding information and cooperation that they require from provincial government departments to assist their investigations into the D-Account of the Bapo Ba Mogale Traditional Council and not through the media out of context,
That the forensic investigation being conducted by the Office of the Premier into the D-Accounts of all traditional authorities across the province which investigation does not preclude the Public Protector and Scopa from conducting separate investigations into the Bapo Ba Mogale D-Account is questioned in the article proves that the principle of separations of powers in the constitution is not understood by certain sections of the media.
Premier Modise respects the autonomy of Section 9 institutions and the oversight role that is supposed to be played by committees of the legislature on the Executive and has consistently in all engagements with both institutions demonstrated her unwavering support to organs of state to meet their constitutional obligations and mandates and has not taken any action that could be seen as obstructing the investigations into the Bapo Ba Mogale D-Account.
While cautioning that it is premature for wild and unsubstantiated corruption allegations to be made, Premier Modise had at the recent public hearing conducted by Scopa pledged her unequivocal support to the investigations conducted by Scopa and the Public Protector and vowed that there will be no holy cows and no officials found with their fingers in the till will be spared.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
