Public Protector Thuli Madonsela (Madelene Cronje, M&G)
The public works department has rejected allegations that Cabinet ministers tried to persuade Thuli Madonsela to drop her investigation into the upgrade of Nkandla.
"My officials and other ministers have met the public protector to discuss issues pertaining to her investigation. These meetings had nothing to do with these sensational claims of trying to stop the investigation." said Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi in a statement.
Nxesi said his department would co-operate with the public protector.
The Sunday Times reported that Madonsela has been pressured by Cabinet ministers to drop her investigation into President Jacob Zuma's R208-million upgrade of his private Nkandla estate.
The newspaper reported that Madonsela held two separate meeting with members of Zuma's Cabinet, and her spokesperson Kgalalelo Masibi confirmed that there was a meeting.
"There has been a meeting but we cannot disclose the contents of that meeting," she said.
Masibi said the Nkandla investigation was still ongoing.
The Democratic Alliance parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said in a statement that she would be posing parliamentary question to Nxesi, Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele to ascertain whether it was true they attempted to strong-arm Madonsela in dropping her investigation.
"Ministers are bound by parliamentary rules which prevent them from misleading the house," said Mazibuko.
She said no amount of political influence should stand in the way of getting to the bottom of this R200-million abuse of public money. – Sapa