Home » Support for Thuli Madonsela after Presidency Calls Her Speech “Unbecoming”

Support for Thuli Madonsela after Presidency Calls Her Speech “Unbecoming”

South Africans have taken to social media to support former Public Protector (PP) Thuli Madonsela after the President lashed out at her for a speech given in Stellenbosch yesterday, labelling it “unbecoming” and accusing her of “leaking” audio recordings of her discussions with President Jacob Zuma. The Presidency said on Friday that it was concerned by “continuing […]

By SAPeople Contributor
11-11-16 15:56
in Business

South Africans have taken to social media to support former Public Protector (PP) Thuli Madonsela after the President lashed out at her for a speech given in Stellenbosch yesterday, labelling it “unbecoming” and accusing her of “leaking” audio recordings of her discussions with President Jacob Zuma.

thulimadonsela

The Presidency said on Friday that it was concerned by “continuing public statements” by Madonsela on matters relating to Zuma and the State Capture report.

“Advocate Madonsela has discharged her duties as the Public Protector and has no further role to play in the process regarding the said report. Her unwarranted public attacks on the President, as happened in Stellenbosch on Thursday, are unbecoming and are not helpful.”

Madonsela was speaking on ethics in government at a Business Ethics Network of Africa (BEN-Africa) event, where she received the organisation’s ‘Order of the Baobab’ for her “extraordinary achievements in good governance and ethical leadership”.

“The Germans say that the rot of the fish starts from the head.”

Her comments included: “When you are in power, it is not your power. It is assumed that you will not make decisions that will improve the fortunes of your family or your friends but rather those that enhance the lives of the entire collective, including those that did not vote for you. You have to repay the trust that has been placed in you.”

She also mentioned: “The Germans say that the rot of the fish starts from the head.”

Today the Presidency said Madonsela should “step back and allow legal and constitutional processes to unfold unhindered”.

The Presidency said it remains concerned about Advocate Madonsela “leaking her discussion with President Zuma to television channel eNCA” which it said had serious implications with regards to ethics and confidentiality.

Political analysts were quick to point out that Madonsela did not “leak” the audio recordings. She released them, which she was legally empowered to do so as then PP.

The Presidency feigned ignorance on why Madonsela had released the tapes, saying: “It is also not clear why Advocate Madonsela decided to leak only the audio recordings of the discussion with the President, despite the fact that she had interviewed several witnesses.”

Madonsela released the tapes as proof she was telling the truth, after President Zuma denied the interview had taken place.

Pierre de Vos, constitutional law expert, said: “Not sure President’s lawyers have read s 7(2) of Public Protector Act which allows PP to permit release record of evidence given to her.”

Some said today that the President’s reaction is a “sign of post-colonial dictatorship” and questioned the Presidency on “how is Madonsela supposed to keep quiet when you keep dragging her name through dirt?”

Ironically, the Presidency’s statement ends saying: “President Zuma urged all parties to act as guided by the Constitution and respect the processes that are unfolding in respect of the report.”

Advocate Thuli Madonsela Support on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/pierredevos/status/796999483741663232