Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s office has received R10-million in additional funding from the government.
The money, received over a week ago, would help improve the speed and quality of investigations, Madonsela told hundreds of pupils at Coronationville High School in Westbury, Johannesburg .
It would also boost her efforts of exacting accountability and promoting good governance in the affairs of the state.
She said 18 new investigator vacancies would be advertised in newspapers this weekend. This 18 and the seven new investigators who joined the team last month, would bring the total number of investigative staff spread across the 20 walk-in offices to 122.
“Even though this is not enough, it will make a difference. It shows that government has been listening to our pleas,” Madonsela said.
“This will help us deal with cases, particularly ‘bread and butter’ matters much faster.”
Madonsela has previously indicated that her office was inadequately funded for the staff to be able to effectively and efficiently deal with the high volume of complaints being received.
Her office gets an annual budget of only R140-million.
Madonsela called on pupils to approach her office in the event they observed poor government service delivery in their communities or suspected improper conduct within state affairs.
The visit to the school formed part of the Good Governance Week, which aims to enhance access to services offered by her office while promoting good governance in state affairs. — Sapa