PUBLIC Protector Thuli Madonsela says she shot herself in the foot by giving security cluster ministers her draft report into the R206-million security upgrade of President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla homestead.
Madonsela said she was under no obligation to give the report to the ministers but did so in good faith. She, however, came to “regret” her move after a court challenge and the subsequent backlash.
The ministers of police, defence, public works and state security – Nathi Mthethwa, Nosiviwe Mapisa Nqakula, Thulas Nxesi and Siyabonga Cwele – last week abandoned their court bid for more time to assess whether there were any security breaches in the report.
Madonsela said she received a 28-page submission from Mthethwa – personally delivered by national Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega at her offices on Friday – pointing out the cluster’s security concerns in her draft report.
She said from now on her move would be to “depoliticise” her approach and she would only deal with the cluster officials and not with the ministers.
Madonsela said she would review the security concerns and then invite the ministers to nominate state security experts to discuss with her the contended issues before applying her mind.
Security cluster spokesman Mthunzi Mhaga said the ministers “reaffirm government’s respect and recognition of the role and office of the public protector and commit to taking the process further in a constructive manner and in the interest of the public and national security”.
However, Madonsela made it clear she would release the report in a manner she deemed fit, adding her safety had never been threatened.
Madonsela said the provisional report should not take more than three weeks to complete, with the final report expected to be released early next year.