Hon Speaker, through you to the hon President, at the launch of the African Ombudsman Research Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, on Tuesday, you stated:
We respect the work of the Public Protector even when we disagree with the findings or censure from that office. We respect our Chapter 9 institutions, as well as the judiciary and Parliament, the other two independent arms of the state.
Mr President, why then did your Cabinet bizarrely announce on 3 March that it has "instructed the Secretary to Cabinet and the Minister of Justice to interact with the Public Protector's office on the report", thereby seemingly challenging the contents of the Public Protector's report, rather than addressing the serious finding of misconduct against the National Police Commissioner? Your admission today that you are awaiting that report from the Secretary to Cabinet and the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development implies that the finding and sanction of the Public Protector must be sanctioned, which undermines the independence of this very Chapter 9 institution. What is your position thereon?