REMINDER: Public Protector to release final Nkandla report, a media lock-up arranged

Thursday, 13 March 2014
 
Public Protector Adv. Thuli Madonsela will on Wednesday, March 19, 2014 release her final report on an investigation into allegations of maladministration in relation to security installations and upgrades at the private residence of President Jacob Zuma in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal.

A media lock-up has been arranged to afford members of the media ample time to thoroughly process the content of the report ahead of release, with a view to improving the accuracy of reporting on and understanding the findings of the Public Protector.

The lock-up will take place as follows:

The briefing will be held as follows:

Journalists are requested to confirm attendance with Oupa Segalwe on [email protected] or 072 264 3273. The cut-off date for RSVPs is Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at noon. The Public Protector South Africa cannot guarantee the availability of space in the media room in the event of failure on the part of members of the media to RSVP. Broadcasters, particularly those that will be taking the briefing live, must have set up an hour before the lock-up commences.

Interview requests should be sent to [email protected]

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE

• Members of the media will be expected to register prior to entering the lock-up room.
• Members of the media will be given access to the full report in hard copy and fact sheets.
• The report and fact sheets will be embargoed until the Public Protector starts addressing the media.
• The investigation team will be on site to provide clarity where such is required.
• Photographers and camera persons will not get the report and fact sheets. They will however be welcome in the lock-up room, provided they observe the rules.
• Members of the media will be prohibited from transmitting or disclosing, by any means, to anyone outside the lock-up room, the contents of the Public Protector�s report and fact sheets.
• Members of the media will not be allowed to enter the lock-up room with laptops, tablets, cell phones or any other information-transmitting gadgets/devises until the embargo is lifted. Note pads and pens will be provided for members of the media to make and take notes while inside the lock up room until the embargo is lifted
• Members of the media will go through a metal detector, and, if need be, searched upon entering the venue.
• Members of the media will not be free to leave the lock-up room until the lock-up time has lapsed.
• Members of the media will be expected to sign an undertaking, committing to observe and comply with the rules above.
• The lock-up will be monitored at all times by Public Protector South Africa personnel.
• A contravention of the rules contained in the undertaking may lead to expulsion from the lock-up and the subsequent briefing, and a possible ban on the part of the offenders and the media houses they represent from covering future media briefings of the Public Protector.
• Communication personnel will be present to assist members of the media with their needs.
• The lock-up time will lapse when the Public Protector addresses the subsequent briefing.

The report will be made available on www.publicprotector.org shortly after the Public Protector commences with her address.