Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela said that the City of Johannesburg is not as guilty of maladministration and corruption as other municipalities in the country.
She spoke to business leaders at a breakfast held by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) at Webber Wentzel, Sandton, on 1 October. Members of the Randburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry (RCCI) were in attendance, and praised Madonsela’s speech and response to questions.
“There is maladministration and corruption in the City of Johannesburg,” Madonsela said. “But it is not as bad as in other municipalities [in the country] who do not have proper structures such as risk management… or [policies of] revolving doors.” She added that Executive Mayor of Johannesburg Parks Tau cooperates with her office, and the Gauteng Government agreed that it will implement remedial action when she recommends it.
She spoke about her role and powers in South African society, and how businesses can work with her to ensure public officials maintain proper conduct. “We may not be in the driving seat of our country,” she said. “But we are responsible for what we have. We have great people… and improved quality of life for many. But… we haven’t improved the quality of life of every person.”
She then asked the audience if the maladministration and corruption of public officials was to blame for this. She explained that the Public Protector is supported by the Constitution and legislature to be a mechanism to “curb excesses in the exercise [of] public power”, and the public can contact her office to solve issues. Her office protects whistle blowers, she said, but it cannot intervene in matters not related to the State or the Court.
Madonsela recalled how her office recently asked the KwaZulu-Natal Government to upgrade the fencing at Hluhluwe Game Reserve to reduce wild animal attacks on humans in the area. They are busy adhering. She also said that businesses should be more self-policing regarding corruption, as the government cannot take bribes if no one offers them.
“Her speech was brilliant,” said RCCI member Paamaalai Padayachee. Padayachee said that she was glad to hear that the Public Protector follows issues to the end, even after a report is released. She said that what she will take away from Madonsela’s speech is that the public can contact Madonsela’s office for complaints, and she learnt what Madonsela’s role in society is.
“I was not aware we could go to her for help,” said RCCI member Danie Bezuidenhout. He liked her analogy of a corruption ‘crocodile’ that will eat you if you keep feeding it. He said that what he will take away from her speech is that to curb corruption, businesses must have a code of conduct, train employees properly and discipline them properly.
Details: Randburg Chamber of Commerce & Industry admin@rcci.co.za, 086 101 9218.
