Source: Public protector
The public protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, and the minister of communications, Faith Muthambi, met in Pretoria on Wednesday, 20 August 2014.
The meeting was in connection with the investigation into the alleged irregular appointment of the controversial Hlaudi Motsoeneng as permanent COO of the SABC, as well as other matters of mutual concern.
It followed the subpoena served on Muthambi on 7 August 2014, calling upon her to appear before the public protector on 26 August 2014 in connection with the investigation.
Madonsela earlier agreed to the minister’s request that the meeting be brought forward to 20 or 21 August 2014, because of prior parliamentary commitments that clashed with the initial meeting date.
The meeting was cordial, fruitful and informative on the mandate of the public protector vis-à-vis the role and functions of the minister and her department with regard to the investigation.
Both parties agreed on a way forward in addressing the matter, as well as on other issues of mutual concern. They acknowledged the fact that the matter under investigation is also under judicial scrutiny in the Western Cape Division of the High Court.
In conclusion, Madonsela and Muthambi both committed their respective offices to work in a spirit of co-operative governance in line with the provisions of chapter three of the Constitution.
