ANC MPs yesterday tore into public protector Thuli Madonsela, accusing her of acting like a DA supporter.

The meeting of parliament's portfolio committee on justice was chaired byANC MP Mathole Motshekga, who repeatedly told Madonsela she had "supporters in the DA".

The committee members attacked her for not sticking to deadlines, for her public comments on members of the judiciary, and for spending too much money on litigation.

Motshekga criticised her for not clarifying questions put to her in writing after her previous interaction with the committee six months ago. She said she had answered, but that the answers were not even acknowledged.

She also pointed out that she had sent Motshekga a letter two weeks ago to specifically ask for details on time or any specific questions the committee might want answered, but he did not reply.

Motshekga then attacked Madonsela for her comments at a public event (the Klein Karoo National Arts Festival in Oudtshoorn) on Judge Ashton Schippers judgment being a "cut-and-paste job", saying it eroded the integrity of the judiciary.

Madonsela hit back.

"I'm not sure that Judge Schippers took offence, but if he was offended, I apologise, not just to judge Schippers, I apologise to those who have been offended on behalf of Judge Schippers."

Madonsela later also said she'd make the apology public after the ANC told her she needed to make a public apology.

Opposition MPs, though, rallied her defence, with DA MPs Glynnis Breytenbach and Werner Horn calling on Motshekga to act more neutrally from the chair and for ANC MPs to stop attacking her.

EFF chief whip Floyd Shivambu said Madonsela had the right to comment on any judgment. "President Zuma criticises the judiciary on judgments he doesn't agree with, and he is responsible for their appointments."

After the meeting, Madonsela said: "There is a huge elephant in the room. I think a child can tell there is a problem with the way we interface with the committee . "

Asked if she thought the committee's attitude was as a result of her Nkandla report, she said: "I don't know but clearly the Speaker needs to get involved ... I did feel under attack; there is a huge elephant in the room."

Asked about the elephant, Motshekga said: "I don't know what that means because we believe there must be robust engagement."