Public Protector Thuli Madonsela said yesterday her office has been the target of unprecedented, spiteful attacks since she released her report on state expenditure on President Jacob Zuma’s private home.
At a media briefing in Pretoria, Madonsela said she was saddened that she had not been given an opportunity to address Parliament regarding her findings.
She said in the 20 years of her office’s existence, the criticism following the release of her “Secure in Comfort” report was unprecedented.
The critics, “including spokespersons of the governing party in and outside Parliament”, had launched tirades without looking at the specifics of her report, said Madonsela.
“I have wondered what (former) president Nelson Mandela would have made of this bizarre turn of events,” said Madonsela.
“Having been unable to hold a formal meeting with his excellency President Zuma, I’ve also been wondering what he is making of these vicious attacks.”
In March last year, the public protector found that Zuma had unduly benefited from security upgrades with a price tag of R246 million to his private home in Nkandla, and recommended he pay back a portion of the public funds used for the project. – African News Agency