The Public Protector South Africa (PPSA) is encouraged by the Eastern
Cape Provincial Government’s will — as expressed by Premier Oscar
Mabuyane — to cooperate and comply with investigations and remedial
action, respectively.
During a stakeholder roadshow meeting with Public Protector Adv. Busisiwe
Mkhwebane and Deputy Public Protector Adv. Kholeka Gcaleka in East
London on Friday, Premier Mabuyane said it was undesirable that some
organs of state in his administration have not heeded the Public Protector’s
remedial action.
He hinted at the prospects of a monthly or quarterly arrangement, where the
provincial administration could feedback to the PPSA, reporting on progress
registered in respect of giving effect to the remedial steps set out in
investigation reports that are not the subject of court interdicts and review
proceedings.
Premier Mabuyane further informed Adv. Mkhwebane and Adv. Gcaleka that
his office had written to nearly all provincial government departments,
reminding them of the Public Protector’s findings and remedial action. He
promised action against municipalities that tend to ignore investigation
reports, adding that the provincial government would write to the PPSA,
providing progress on the ongoing implementation of remedial action.
Adv. Mkhwebane and Adv. Gcaleka later conducted an inspection in loco
200km away at the Ndlovukazi Stadium in Lesseyton outside Komani in the
Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality as part of an ongoing investigation into the
procurement process followed to construct the facility at an alleged cost of
R16million. The investigation was triggered by three complaints from
members of the public.
The Eastern Cape was the ninth province the PPSA visited since kickstarting the roadshow mid-February. Although all provinces have been
covered, the PPSA could not engage with the Speaker of the Provincial
Legislature Hon. Nontembeko Boyce and Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle
Zikalala due to clashing schedules. An engagement with them will take place
in due course.
During the roadshow, the PPSA engaged parties interested in the office’s
work in fulfilment of the office’s constitutional mandate to investigate, report
on and remedy any alleged or suspected improper conduct in all state affairs
and to be accessible to all persons and communities. A report on the
roadshow will be prepared.
