New deputy criticises Madonsela

FRESH tensions have emerged between Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and her new deputy Kevin Malunga after he wrote a letter to Parliament, criticising his boss for clashing with MPs last week.

In a letter addressed to the portfolio committee on justice and constitutional development on Monday, Malunga told the MPs he "regrets the unpleasant altercation" that took place between them and Madonsela, pictured below, last week over the powers of public protector as weighed against the oversight role of Parliament.

He said her views that she has the power to solely decide which matters to investigate, which MPs have construed as placing herself above Parliamentary oversight, were personal and did not reflect his (Malunga's) views or those of the staff of the public protector's office.

"I want to put on record my regrets at the unpleasant altercation that took place between Advocate Madonsela and members of the portfolio committee concerning the powers of the public protector vis-a-vis the oversight of Parliament," reads the letter.

"To the best of my knowledge, the views expressed by Advocate [Madonsela] regarding our relationship with Parliament are her personal views and do not reflect my views or those of staff at the office of the public protector or any official policy adopted."

Malunga said while the public protector's office was an independent institution, it was not above Parliamentary oversight.

Asked for comment, Madonsela said Malunga had every right to disagree with her, even though she found his letter to have no value.

"To me, it really does not have any value. My deputy is one of my staff members ... they have a right to their own views," she said.

She insisted that there was no tension between her and Malunga.

"The truth is that people are not going to always see things the same way, he's not the only staff member who's disagreed with me."

Madonsela slugged it out with ANC MP John Jeffrey last Thursday when he questioned why she chose to probe a complaint by former National Consumer Commission [NCC] member Mamodupi Mohlala-Mulaudzi against Trade and Industry Department Director-General Lionel October, which he believed belonged in the Labour Court.

In reply to Jeffrey, Madonsela said the Constitution and several international treaties to which South Africa was a signatory, clearly proclaimed her independence.

Justice portfolio committee chairman Luwellyn Landers acknowledged receipt of Malunga's letter but refused to comment on its contents.