Would Advocate Vusi Pikoli throw his name in the hat to be the next public protector?
He refused to be drawn, but did offer scathing commentary on President Jacob Zuma’s violation of the constitution by ignoring the public protector, as determined by the Constitutional Court in April.
On Wednesday, Pikoli said we should not permit our hard-won constitution to be betrayed. “This is a constitution that comes from sweat and blood, from loss of life and limb, because people waged struggle for a long time. It is the fulcrum on which our democracy is based. It is an embodiment of our hopes and aspirations, and we cannot betray it.”
Pikoli is an advocate and former head of the National Prosecuting Authority. He was active in the ANC as a liberation fighter in his youth.
While head of the NPA, Pikoli pursued criminal charges against disgraced police commissioner Jackie Selebi and President Jacob Zuma. As a result, he was fired from the NPA and now works as the first police ombud for the Western Cape, appointed by Premier Helen Zille.
Pikoli praised the role of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s office in upholding democracy, – and minced no words when lambasting President Jacob Zuma for not heeding her recommendations. “The beauty of our democracy is that it’s anchored by Chapter 9 institutions – the office of the Public Protector, the Auditor General, the Human Rights Commission and so forth – to strengthen and protect our democracy. If those institutions start weakening, it becomes a threat to our democracy,” he said.
“The president, by failing to recognise that remedial action, failed to protect and defend and respect the Constitution of the Republic.”
Pikoli said the best way citizens could arm themselves was with a thorough and critical knowledge of the constitution, and how the government only had power within the bounds of it.
“The weapon that people have in their hands is the vote.”
Pikoli cited the 26 percent unemployment rate, and the fact that South Africa was once the biggest economy in Africa, but has recently slipped to third biggest on the continent. “The acts of corruption rob us of the opportunity to create the society we all long for.”
But for all his warnings, Pikoli said he remained positive about his country.
“I’m an evergreen optimist,” he said. “South Africa is a country with lots of talent, a beautiful country.”
Pikoli commended the Big Issue on the work it does to offer employment to people in vulnerable social spaces. “Congratulations to the Big Issue for restoring dignity to those without employment.”
The Big Issue magazine was celebrating 20 years of publishing in South Africa. It employs only three full-time staff members, but manages a circulation of 13 000 copies sold per month in the Western Cape. Vendors are self-employed, and purchase magazines as stock from the Big Issue, which they sell at a profit to earn their monthly income.