S. Africa’s Madonsela rebuffs fraud allegations
Collins Atohengbe, Pretoria

South Africa’s Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela has discribed the allegations of fraud and corruption leveled against her by the South African Police as "baseless, without truth and malicious."

Reacting to media reports, that the South African Police was planning to arrest her on charges of fraud and corruption,  Madonsela said she has never been accused of the crimes, nor has there been any documentation to that effect.

Lacking evidence

She said that search conducted to find possible evidence of the alleged fraud has not revealed any wrong doings and that the claims that her company did work for the Commission and was paid R1.8 million was not true. She said she was aware of three contracts for which the company was paid, but the payments were far less than the R1.8 million which her company was said to have received.

Thuli Madonsela clarified that she did established a company in 2003 and personally managed it until 2007 when she joined the Law Reform Commission.

She said her activities were made known to the relevant government departments as soon as she took up public office and that she had never concealed her company from public eyes.

Despite reports of her imminent arrest, the Public Protector said she will not be distracted to abandon her duty in respect of the investigation for which her freedom is being threatened and that she was not aware of any plan to arrest her.
Justice Department had confirmed to the media that it was looking into reports of alleged fraud against her but Madosela said inquiry did not reveal the existence of any incriminating evidence against her.

Inquiries  

Last year, the South African National Police Commissioner, Bheki Cele was indicted in an investigation into the planed lease of a new Police Headquarters which Madonsale’s office conducted but the finding did not go down well with the Police Chief who himself tried to absolve himself of any wrong doing.

The Public Prosecutor’s office has been ransacked by the police twice since the report was made public and some officials, who spoke two weeks ago, said they agreed to the deal under threat to their lives.

Reactions

Report of plans by the South African Police to arrest Madonsela has been condemned by opposition parties including the Democratic Alliance which sees it as attempt to cow her to submission and sweep the case under the carpet.

The treat of arrest is coming at a time when the case is reopening for investigation.

The South African Police has not reacted.

Madonsela plans to meet with the Speaker of Parliament as well Justice Minister Jeff Radebe to discuss the allegation.

Williams