The Times
*Public protector 'a tool' of the 'Polokwane grievers'* *Amukelani Chauke, The Times, Johannesburg, 23 April 2012 *The general secretary of the SA Communist Party, Blade Nzimande, has accused Public Protector Thuli Madonsela of being too selective in her investigations following several of her findings against government ministers.
In remarks to journalists at a dinner on Thursday, Nzimande said Chapter Nine institutions, including Madonsela's, were being used by "opposition forces" and "Polokwane grievers" trying to run the country "from the grave".
Nzimande said that, though Madonsela has been quick to investigate complaints against ministers, she has dragged her feet in other cases.
"I don't want this to be read in a negative way. I support the public protector. I think the public protector is very important, that she does go into the issues.
"But she is being selective. I think it appeared in the Sunday World - and I stand to be corrected - that she has been sitting on a complaint from the SABC since February last year. But a complaint about the police [national commissioner] will be investigated within a week.
"There is glaring selectivity. Sometimes it is difficult for some of us to raise this because the more we raise it, the more it is said we are attacking Chapter 9 institutions," he said.
Since Madonsela took over from Lawrence Mushwana - who is now chairman of the Human Rights Commission - she has resolved complaints that have led to President Jacob Zuma sacking some of his ministers.
Nzimande said Madonsela's speedy findings in these investigations raised questions as to whether her office was being used to target those not favoured within the tripartite alliance.
"We are of the view that this liberal offensive is trying to rule from the grave, and smartly using systems supporting democracy.
"I have been warned that I must not be too disrespectful."When Mushwana was public protector, the DA slaughtered him every day. Now the same DA is telling us that we can't criticise the public protector; it is a Chapter 9 institution. We must all respect the public protector. Now the main issues are being buried because a public protector seen to be finding in favour of the government is not good, while a public protector finding consistently against the government is good because it is part of an agenda to try to rule from the grave."
Madonsela's spokesman, Kgalalelo Masibi, said last night: "The public protector is not aware that her office prioritises complaints against government officials and will tomorrow write to the minister [Nzimande] to request evidence supporting the allegation that she prioritises complaints from the DA. [She] does not expect any minister to violate Section 181 (3) of the constitution [which refers to Chapter 9 institutions]."
*From: http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2012/04/23/public-protector-a-tool-of-the-polokwane-grievers*
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