Pretoria - Ministers in the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster will on Friday, 15 November, submit their response to Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s provisional report on the security upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence.
In a statement released by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) today, government said it had noted the media reports regarding its decision to approach the courts to seek relief regarding its request for an extension of the period within which to submit its response to the Public Protector’s report.
Madonsela has produced an interim report on her investigation into allegations of misconduct in the installation and implementation of security measures at the President’s Nkandla residence.
The security cluster last Friday, 8 November, made an urgent application to the North Gauteng High Court to prevent Madonsela from releasing the report. The cluster decided to approach the court after the Public Protector did not grant the requested extension, which has always been regarded as reasonable.
The application was postponed until Friday, 15 November. Madonsela had opposed the application.
The matter was then postponed by the court for final decision on 15 November 2013 -- the same day of the requested deadline.
“For this reason, it was felt that such a decision will no longer serve any material purpose. Government, therefore, decided to approach the court to request that the matter be withdrawn. This decision was communicated to the Office of The Public Protector today (14 November 2013).
“The ministers will then accordingly submit their response to the Public Protector tomorrow, 15 November 2013, as they have now had enough time to consider and prepare the response of government,” said the GCIS.
It reiterated that from the onset, government’s application was never about the right of the Public Protector to release the provisional report of her investigation.
“The ministers simply sought recourse regarding the unreasonably short period within which they were to consider a lengthy and important report,” said the GCIS.
It further said that the ministers regard as “unfortunate and disappointing, the manner in which the Public Protector responded to their request after months of interacting with her in good faith”.
“Government was to reiterate its position on the respect and recognition of the role of the Office of the Public Protector, as provided for in our Constitution. The Ministers have, in this regard, cooperated fully with the current investigation, including being available to attend all consultative meetings at the request of the Public Protector.
“All requested documents relevant to this investigation were submitted, inclusive of those with security classification,” said the GCIS. - SAnews.gov.za
