Pretoria – Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela has dismissed the allegations of fraud and corruption against her as “baseless, without truth and malicious.”
Reacting to media reports, which claimed that police were 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.
The claims go back three years to when she was a full-time Commissioner of the SA Law Reform Commission (SALRC). Reports allege that Madonsela’s company did work for the SALRC and was paid R1.8 million.
She clarified that she did establish a company in 2003 and personally managed it up until 2007.
When she was in the process of joining the SALRC, Madonsela said she employed an executive manager to run the company.
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 reports claim had been paid.
In addition, Madonsela said she never concealed her company and that the Department of Justice and other relevant authorities were aware of it.
Despite reports of her imminent arrest, the Public Protector said there was no documentation of the allegations and the authorities she had spoke to had no knowledge of the allegations against her.
“I don’t know who is accusing me. I don’t know when a complaint was filed. I have not been interviewed by SAPS on this matter,” Madonsela stressed.
Madonsela is expected to set up a meeting with the Speaker of Parliament as well Justice Minister Jeff Radebe to discuss the allegations. – BuaNews
