Public Protector lauds Mpumalanga government for accepting Pilgrim's Rest findings and remedial action
Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela has hailed the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works as a shining example of how organs of state ought to deal with investigation reports of oversight agencies such as her office.
This comes after the department wrote to the Public Protector, accepting her findings and remedial action following her investigation into allegations of maladministration in the awarding of tenders for shop leases in Pilgrim’s Rest.
The department submitted an implementation plan, setting out how it would implement the remedial action. This includes cancelling the awarding of earlier contracts and embarking on a new procurement process.
"I commend the decisive and timely leadership of MEC Dikeledi Mahlangu in the matter," said the Public Protector. "We look forward to further progress reports on the action that the department is taking."
The Public Protector called on other organs of state to follow the example of the department, explaining that where parties disagreed with her findings they should engage her.
In the event disagreements persist, parties should follow a legitimate process to have her findings and remedial action reviewed.
"The Constitution is unambiguous that the Public Protector has powers to investigate, report and take appropriate remedial action,” the Public Protector said.
“It also states that the Public Protector is subject only to the Constitution and the law. This means the courts are the only legitimate review bodies of my decisions; not legal opinions or name-calling."
For more information, contact:
Kgalalelo Masibi, Spokesperson
Public Protector South Africa
Tel: 012 366 7006
Cell: 079 507 0399
