Nkowankowa – Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela says she has requested more funding to help her office to operate more effectively.
Addressing the community of Nkowankowa in Limpopo during the ‘Public Protector Dialogues with the Nation’ roadshow, Madonsela said the money her office is currently receiving is not enough for all her operations.
“We need more money so we can increase our outreach programmes,” said Madonsela, stressing a need for more regional offices to be established, especially in Limpopo.
Currently, the Public Protector’s Office operates on a budget of R140 million, with the funds being allocated from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Madonsela urged community members to contact her office with their grievances.
She explained that her office had the authority to resolve disputes between communities and the government.
“We have been given powers to resolve disputes to strengthen constitutional democracy,” she said, adding that when investigating cases, her office also makes recommendations for appropriate remedial actions.
She urged the people to expose any acts of corruption.
The community of Nkowankowa praised the Public Protector for the good work she is doing of protecting and speaking on behalf of the public.
They said they were happy with the visit, which is part of the Public Protector’s strategy of explaining to communities and other stakeholders how her office works.
People were given an opportunity to raise their concerns and most of them were on the lack of infrastructure development, challenges experienced with lack of services such as acquiring IDs, accessing social grants, lack of water and electricity services.
“Now I know where to go when I have problems,” said Hlamalani Ngobeni, 55.
Maggie Rikhotso, who prior to the meeting knew nothing about the Public Protector, agreed that more offices are needed.
“The services of the Public Protector are really needed, people need to access them with ease,” she said.
According to Madonsela, last year 1 036 cases were received from Limpopo and of those, 900 were dealt with. – BuaNews
