Public Protector sets record straight regarding Tshisonga matter

Pretoria

16 January 2007

The Office of the Public Protector wishes to clarify a recent media report in the Sunday Times (Maduna slammed in landmark ruling, 7 January 2007) regarding the application for compensation brought by Mr Tshisonga, a former deputy director-general in the department of justice and constitutional development, against the former minister and director-general.

The office notes that Mr Tshisonga testified in his application in the Labour Court that the Public Protector was “unwilling” to investigate his complaint and that this was construed by the media as a finding against the Public Protector.

Mr Tshisonga’s testimony is, however, not supported by the facts relating to the handling of his complaint by the Office of the Public Protector. Mr Tshisonga and/or his attorneys failed to provide the Public Protector with sufficient information to substantiate his allegations of impropriety against the minister, which was requested on more than one occasion.

However, Mr Tshisonga was entitled to utilise the legal remedies available to him with regard to the disclosures that he had made to the media.

For more information contact Charles Phahlane on 012 366 7006 or 082 856 8188.

For media releases, speeches and reports visit the Public Protector’s website www.publicprotector.org