Johannesburg - Public Protector Thuli Madonsela on Monday said she wanted to place on record that in terms of the law she was not compelled to undertake any investigation, but had discretional power to do so.
"Madonsela has noted with disappointment media comments attributed to member of parliament Bantu Holomisa and commission employees, regarding her investigation into the procurement of a building by the IEC for its headquarters," spokesperson Kgalalelo Masibi said.
According to reports on Sunday Madonsela was under fire from Independent Electoral Commission staff and the United Democratic Movement.
She had been accused of selectively tackling alleged corruption and maladministration involving her friend, electoral commission chairperson Pansy Tlakula, the City Press reported.
Concerned commission employees had written to Themba Godi, the chairperson of Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts, and the commission's deputy head Terry Tselane, asking them to investigate a multimillion-rand lease involving Tlakula's business partner.
City Press reported Holomisa had lodged complaints against the commission with Madonsela - but he was unhappy with her progress. His complaint relates to the commission’s R320m office lease, in which Parliament’s finance portfolio committee chairperson Thaba Mufamadi's company, Manaka Property Investment, has a stake.
In a statement Masibi said Madonsela wished to place on record that Holomisa had been given feedback by the public protector directly on previous one to one encounters.
A letter was written to him on Friday indicating the status of the investigation.
"Incidentally, Tlakula herself has also complained about the delay in finalising the investigation."
Madonsela added she was not compelled to accept Holomisa's request to investigate, but had decided so after assessing the matter.
"If she wished to protect anyone, she would not have decided to investigate."
The delay in finalising a provisional report was due to new information that needed to be followed up through interviews and all relevant parties had been duly notified.
"It is not true that Madonsela is friends with anyone in the IEC. Should anyone have evidence to the contrary, the Public Protector would like them to come forward with such."
SAPA
