Roodefontein Development Application: Confusion caused by DA Spokesperson

24 January 2003

The office of the Public Protector would like to correct certain statements made by Mr Robin Carlisle, Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on Environmental Affairs concerning the Roodefontein Development issue. On Thursday, 23 January 2002, Mr Carlisle said on Cape Talk Radio that the DA had laid a complaint with this office �nine months� ago and that there had been no reaction. On Friday morning, 24 January, Mr Carlisle said on AM Live that a complaint had been laid with the �Public Prosecutor� nine months ago and as there had been no reaction, the DA had laid charges with the South African Police Services (SAPS). 

These statements were incorrect and have caused considerable confusion. The office of the Public Protector would like to clarify the situation and correct the public record. The first complaint regarding this matter was received from the DA on 18 September 2002. This office in fact requested further information from them during December 2002, following preliminary investigations into the complaint. Secondly, by referring to the �Public Prosecutor� on AM Live, instead of the Public Protector, Mr Carlisle not only caused confusion, but implied that because of this office�s failure to respond to their complaint, they had been obliged to go to SAPS. 

Although Mr Carlisle has in the meantime apologised to the office of the Public Protector and confirmed that a complaint had not been submitted �nine months ago�, supposedly without feedback, it is nevertheless considered necessary to correct the facts publicly.

Enquiries: Nicolette Teichmann
Tel: 082 333 5624 

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