South Africa public protector Thuli Madonsela today took to Twitter to rebut accusations made by the African National Congress (ANC) surrounding her investigation into president Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead.
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The ruling party made the accusations at a press conference after a letter sent by Madonsela to Zuma was leaked to the media. The letter, which gives Zuma two weeks to explain why he should not pay back a portion of the R246-million spent on his private residence.
Compounding the ANC’s anger was the disruption of parliament by former ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters last week.
While the conference was going on and the MyANC_ account was tweeting ANC spokesperson’s Gwede Mantashe’s attack on the public protector, Madonsela appeared to take the high road, defending her institution by citing the constitution, democratic values and the need for accountability among public officials.
Here’s a sample of what the ANC was tweeting out:
"#ANC calls on the @PublicProtector to reveal the name of this so-called senior leader who has leaked the letter to the media" #Mantashe
— ANC Info Feed (@MyANC_) August 26, 2014
"The NWC also noted the coincidence of @PublicProtector writing the letter on the same day that the EFF disrupted Parliament" #Mantashe
— ANC Info Feed (@MyANC_) August 26, 2014
"@PublicProtector's intention to discredit the ANC & it's leadership in government has been consistent" #Mantashe #ANCBriefing
— ANC Info Feed (@MyANC_) August 26, 2014
And here is Madonsela’s response, in chronological order:
# All state power is exercised under supervision & administrative scrutiny is as constitutionally as judicial scrutiny #constitutionalism
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
# All state power is exercised under supervision & administrative scrutiny is as constitutionally as judicial scrutiny #constitutionalism
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
Public Protector is strong misleading people about its powers and intentions seeks to undermine rather than strengthen the Public Protector
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
There is no Parliamentary document at the moment that seeks to discuss the report of the @PublicProtector & no response from the President
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
Who leaked the report of the SIU to the media. Why is it no concern? PP had power to publish her letter if she so wished. #Constitutionalism
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
If we all respect the Constitution & the law, there would be no crisis. @PublicProtector acts constituently on all cases.#constitutionalism
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
Let's face th truth. What's embarrassing the country isattempts to subvert the rule of law & not administrative scrutiny. #constitutionalism
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
Administrative scrutiny is a reality if our constitutional democracy. It's not a political exercise & Politicians should stop interfering
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
We-are in trouble when politicians meddle in the investigation processes and leak documents then cry foul # constitutionalism
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
Can someone please say how exactly is the deepening of accountability a weakening parliamentary democracy. #constitutionalism
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
Thank you South Africa for believing in our constitutional dream & supporting the @PublicProtector Team's consistent role #constitutionalism
— Thuli Madonsela (@ThuliMadonsela3) August 26, 2014
We believe that’s what they call being schooled.
Image: GovernmentZA via Flickr.
