Pretoria - Justice Minister Jeff Radebe and Cabinet Secretary Dr Cassius Lubisi is to meet with Public Protector Thuli Madonsela's office to discuss her recent findings on the R500 million lease agreement for police headquarters in Pretoria.
Government spokesperson Jimmy Manyi, speaking following Wednesday's Cabinet meeting, said the meeting between the minister, Director-General and Madonsela would be to "interact" on the report and discuss issues pertaining to protocol and procurement.
Radebe will then return to Cabinet, with a decision on the matter expected to be taken at a later stage when all parties had been consulted.
In her report, released last week, Madonsela found that National Police Commissioner General Bheki Cele, in his capacity as an accounting officer of the SAPS, was guilty of improper conduct and maladministration when the police entered into a lease with businessman Roux Shabangu for the Sanlam Middestad Building in Pretoria.
Madonsela also found that the accounting officer of the Department of Public Works was also guilty of improper conduct and maladministration.
Cele has since disputed the report, saying it instead vindicated him. "I do not see how the Public Protector made these findings against me on an issue which is not my responsibility," he said at a media briefing last week.
On Thursday, Manyi reiterated Cabinet's support of Madonela's office, promising a decision will be taken on the matter soon.
"I can assure you that this Cabinet supports the office of the Public Protector and you can trust me when I say a decision will be taken on the matter. We must just give Cabinet time to do its work." BuaNews
