Today Corruption Watch submitted a letter to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services, requesting the committee to exercise its oversight function and investigate whether the incumbent public protector is fit to hold office.
The letter highlights the critical role played by the Office of the Public Protector in the fight against corruption and impropriety in state affairs, and in the quest for good governance. It cites the findings of a number of courts, including the Constitutional Court, which have found the Public Protector to be incompetent, dishonest and biased. It outlines Parliament’s duty to exercise its oversight function.
The organisation expects Parliament to fulfil its constitutional duties in conducting this inquiry, and to do so expeditiously in a transparent manner that fully interrogates a pattern of conduct that calls into question whether the incumbent public protector is indeed fit to hold the high office that she occupies.
David Lewis, executive director of Corruption Watch, commented: ‘In the face of the series of court judgments, culminating in Monday’s Constitutional Court decision, that reflect adversely on the public protector’s competence, honesty and impartiality, any self respecting person would tender her resignation. If she chooses not to take the most dignified and honourable exit, then Parliament must exercise its constitutionally enshrined oversight responsibility.’
Corruption Watch has requested an urgent response from Parliament regarding the actions it intends to undertake in this matter, before close of business on Wednesday, 7 August 2019.
Download our letter to Parliament.
Contact:
Patience Mkosana Cell: 072 992 8380 E-mail: patiencem@corruptionwatch.org.za
