In Defence of South Africa's Public Protector

A statement responding to criticism of South Africa's Public Protector, Thuli Madonsela. It was issued the day before she was scheduled to issue a report on public spending at the country residence of President Jacob Zuma:

We in the churches deeply regret that certain clergy have ganged up against the Public Protector in the name of the Church. They have done so without adequate knowledge of her reports and their intervention only serves to undermine the fight against corruption.

It is shameful to see the dirty tactics being employed by politicians against the Public Protector. There is clearly a coordinated campaign by those implicated in her reports to denigrate her office and its work. This threatens to undermine the legitimacy of an institution established and protected by our Constitution.

We welcome the Public Protector's reports on corruption and mismanagement. We thank her for making the country accountable and transparent. Her office's work helps to develop our democracy, and I call on civil society to join the churches in defending it against the current assault.

+Thabo Cape Town