Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said on Saturday she was satisfied that the raid on her offices was “not ordered by the police”.
“We haven’t felt the need to make a public outcry,” Madonsela said in response to a question on the matter at the launch of the Khanya College women’s centre in Johannesburg.
She said she had been assured by the police that they “will make sure it never happens again”.
Two crime intelligence officials visited her offices in Pretoria last Wednesday, without official papers. They allegedly demanded a document relating to allegations that police National Commissioner General Bheki Cele was caught up in an improper R500-million lease agreement for new police headquarters in Pretoria.
This came after she released a report in February which said Cele allegedly unlawfully authorised a lease agreement for the new headquarters.
Madonsela added that she was “deeply encouraged” by the support of civil society in the matter.
‘Fix the system’
She also said media reports had created the impression that the Public Protector was mainly concerned with addressing fraud among high ranking officials.
“The role of the Public Protector is to try to fix the system, as well as the problem, to promote good governance.”
Madonsela said 90% of her investigations were to do with complaints regarding delayed services and failures to serve the basic needs of individuals.
Madonsela said her office’s constitutional mandate was to investigate complaints against all organs of state and it was open to all people in South Africa, including foreign nationals.
She said she was excited about being part of the centre’s launch.
“It is a double honour to participate in the launch of this initiative, because it [the women’s centre] seeks to address the plight of women through asserting women’s equality,” she said.
The centre will be offering advisory services ranging from legal to health issues. – Sapa