Speaker to meet Madonsela, Mthethwa
2011-07-09 13:30
Johannesburg - National Assembly Speaker Max Sisulu will meet Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela next week, Parliament said in a statement on Saturday.
"Mr Max Sisulu, has noted, with grave concern, recent reports in the media concerning the Public Protector Ms Thuli Madonsela," the statement read.
"The Office of the Public Protector, like all other Chapter Nine organisations, is accountable to Parliament for its activities, as the Constitution prescribes."
Sisulu, on behalf of the National Assembly, said the Office of the Public Protector enjoyed "the full confidence of Parliament".
"The Public Protector must be able to perform her functions without fear, favour or any hindrance."
Police on Friday said it could not yet comment on reports that the Hawks have launched an investigation against Madonsela.
Police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo told Sapa he was looking into the matter and described it as sensitive.
"I'm busy researching this... we have to be quite thorough," he said of a purported internal report by the Hawks on an inquiry against Madonsela published by Independent Newspapers on Friday.
The Star newspaper said the document, published with the names of the investigating officers and the case number blanked out, was proof of an official police investigation against Madonsela.
The newspaper reported earlier this week that police were about to arrest Madonsela in connection with business transactions she concluded with the department of justice while she served on the SA Law Reform Commission.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa denied any knowledge of a pending investigation or plans to arrest her.
- SAPA
